Riyadh: The Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, in partnership with UNICEF and The Global Fund, has released a joint report urging the need for greater innovation and access in combating preventable infectious diseases. The report titled ‘Scaling Innovation to Maximize Global Health Impact’ highlights the severe impact of treatable diseases, noting that in 2023, tuberculosis resulted in 1.25 million deaths while malaria claimed 600,000 lives, predominantly affecting low- and middle-income countries.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the report identifies emerging breakthroughs such as AI diagnostics, biotech therapies, and solar-powered oxygen machines. However, it stresses that these innovations will have limited impact without robust systems to deliver them equitably. It calls for urgent collaboration to bridge the gap between innovation and access, emphasizing the need for aligning policy, financing, and education to ensure that every community benefits from these advancements.
Richard Attias, Chairman of the Executive Committee and Acting CEO of FII Institute, stated, “Collaboration is paramount when faced with the mounting death toll of preventable diseases. Innovation in technology and economics must move hand in hand to build stronger, more resilient healthcare systems. I am proud of the progress FII Institute continues to drive through global partnerships in pursuit of this mission.”
UNICEF’s Director of Health Programme, Helga Fogstad, noted, “Innovation can only save children’s lives when it reaches them. Our job is to make sure every breakthrough becomes an everyday tool – for every child, everywhere – always keeping the most vulnerable in focus.”
Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, emphasized, “From the outset, the Global Fund has been driven by the belief that no one should die from a preventable disease. Through a unique, multistakeholder partnership, we have pushed AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria into retreat – and now we can defeat them for good. We must build on our successes, harness innovation, and ultimately put an end to these formidable diseases.”
