Geneticist makes life-saving testing accessible to millions of South Africans

IN A COUNTRY where millions of people lack access to vital genetic testing, Professor Monique Zaahl saw an opportunity to make a difference. Frustrated by the unmet needs of South Africans, she founded GENEdiagnostics in 2010, driven by a determination to bridge the gap in genetic testing.

Internationally, genetic testing is gaining prominence as a science for identifying a person’s vulnerability to inherited health disorders. Results of genetic tests are key for medical professionals to identify primary disease-causing factors, as opposed to using a trial-and-error methodology.

Eight years of perseverance paid off, and the company became fully operational, going on to achieve an impressive annual growth rate of 30% since 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic, which was a calamity for many businesses, proved to be a breakthrough for GENEdiagnostics, bringing in contracts for Covid testing and raising awareness of genetics and health.

Today, GENEdiagnostics is at the forefront of innovation, launching a first-of-its-kind pharmaco-genetic app that analyses genetic information to determine medication compatibility. Professor Zaahl's mission is to empower patients with information, enabling them to make proactive health decisions.

Her commitment to developing the next generation of scientific talent is equally impressive, with internship programmes in place to give young scientists critical work experience.

For her outstanding work, Professor Zaahl has been named Emerging Business Entrepreneur of the Year, a well-deserved recognition of her dedication to transforming healthcare access in South Africa.

As David Morobe, Executive General Manager for Impact Investing at Business Partners Limited, notes, "Professor Zaahl's ability to translate complex science into an impactful business is inspiring." With this award, GENEdiagnostics is poised to continue its mission to improve the health of the nation, one genetic test at a time.

Various tests are available on https://genediagnostics.co.za/shop/