Fighting Disease: How Switzerland contributes to treating disease

High blood pressure and diabetes are increasingly emerging across Africa, leading to serious complications like stroke. In collaboration with the University of Basel, SolidarMed, community representatives in Lesotho, and the Government of Lesotho, the Community Based Chronic Care Lesotho (ComBaCaL) project has piloted an innovative approach to improve access to diagnosis and care for these conditions in remote areas. Lay community health workers were empowered to independently diagnose hypertension and diabetes, prescribe, and titrate first-line medication, supported by a tablet-based app. This approach has proven effective and safe. This talk will share the journey of our consortium in generating this evidence and discuss how ComBaCaL aims to enhance the management of hypertension and diabetes through policy dialogue and exchange. Project website: https://www.combacal.org

Jacqueline du Pre was one of the best cello performers at the top of her career when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. In the 1970s there were no treatments available that could stop the disease. Intense research in the past 3 decades led to the development of 20+ therapeutic approaches that can slow down disease progression. On the example of Jacqueline du Pre's life the current knowledge on the origin of the disease, the current treatments and the gaps to be filled in the coming years will be discussed.

In this talk, Gennaro Pagano will share the perspective of a clinician-scientist working at the forefront of medical innovation. Dr. Pagano is a physician, Honorary Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Exeter, and Group Leader and Expert Medical Director in Neuroscience and Rare Diseases within Roche pRED.
Together, we will explore how artificial intelligence and next-generation drug discovery are transforming the future of medicine. Through the lens of both clinical practice and pharmaceutical research, the talk will highlight how AI-driven innovation is reshaping the way we understand diseases, develop therapies, and bring new hope to patients.