Why diagnostics are essential in achieving universal health coverage

World Health Day 2026 focuses on the need for action to achieve universal health coverage, a topic close to the heart of Unilabs’ Chief Medical Officer, Dr Thomas Lindahl, who believes that equitable healthcare begins with universal access to high-quality diagnostics.

The foundation of modern healthcare

Diagnostics underpin nearly every clinical decision. Around 70% of medical decisions rely on diagnostic information, yet these services account for only a small proportion of healthcare spending. Dr Lindahl says expanding access to high-quality diagnostics is one of the most efficient and impactful ways to improve global health outcomes. “Diagnostics are a cornerstone of modern medicine. With accurate diagnosis, we can unlock effective treatment and disease prevention.” 

From detection to personalised care

As well as playing an essential role at the start of patient’s healthcare journey, diagnostics are also key to effective ongoing treatment monitoring, enabling care to be adapted as a patient’s condition evolves. Dr Lindahl says embracing an integrated approach to diagnostics further advances more equitable access to high-quality care. “One of the most significant shifts in healthcare is the move towards integrated diagnostics, and it is one we are embracing at Unilabs. By spanning laboratory medicine, pathology, genetics, and radiology, we are unlocking a comprehensive service offering for both referring physicians and patients. By combining expertise, we also foster strong knowledge sharing across specialised clinical teams, enhancing diagnostic quality, and driving innovation.”

Unilabs molecular pathologists, for example, regularly participate in multidisciplinary tumour boards, combining histological findings with molecular test results to guide treatment decisions. Likewise, the uptake of digital pathology enables pathologists, oncologists, radiologists, and other specialists to access the same high-resolution images, discuss cases in real-time, and collaborate remotely from wherever in the world they happen to be.

Quality, innovation, and expanding access

Innovation in diagnostics is accelerating rapidly, allowing meaningful progress to be made in areas such as earlier cancer detection, AI-supported imaging analysis, and digital pathology. In October 2025, for example, Unilabs Norway launched the Oslo region's first advanced cardiac MRI service, extending access to specialised cardiac imaging for patients and referring physicians. 

Dr Lindahl says advances like these support clinicians in interpreting results, freeing time to support more patients and enabling collaboration across geographies. “By scaling access to advanced diagnostic services, healthcare systems can reduce disparities and enable more timely clinical intervention.”

Looking ahead, he believes diagnostics will become increasingly accessible and feature even earlier in healthcare pathways. “This shift will help healthcare move from reactive treatment toward proactive health management, both for individuals and entire populations. Molecular and genomic testing, for example, is already allowing clinicians to identify disease subtypes and predict treatment response, particularly in oncology.  Artificial intelligence and advanced analytics will expand advanced testing capabilities, while increasing integration of diagnostic data will enable more coordinated, patient-centred care.”

An example of this comes from Switzerland, where Unilabs is already deploying liquid biopsy testing to monitor cancer treatment response and detect disease recurrence. Dr Lindahl says he is ultimately driven by the opportunity to support to better clinical decisions—and better outcomes—across borders. “What motivates me is the opportunity to strengthen the role of diagnostics across multiple healthcare systems. By improving diagnostic quality, access, and innovation, we can positively influence the journey of millions of people, every year.”