Diagnostic kits and technology is a big field of research. Name a disease and you'd find lots of laboratories working on different ways to diagnose it either through the use of clinical data, serology, nucleic acid technology and lots more. In the past hour, I've read about ultrasensitive biosensors, a game that can diagnose malaria and a urine-based malaria diagnostic test. I seem to recall some people creating a mobile phone app that "diagnoses" dengue (it doesn't. It just determines platelet concentrations).

It's nice to hear people innovate and try out new stuff. New stuff is good. New stuff leads to breakthroughs and revolutions. Coming from a community background though, I can't help wonder if creating new health technology is worth it. Wouldn't it be better to invest in old but proven solutions? The addage "If it's not broken, don't fix it." comes to mind.

For example, microscopy maybe the oldest method in the book but it doesn't mean that we should stop using it. Besides, technology is expensive. Between a diagnostic kit that can diagnose only one disease and a microscope (plus training of a microscopist) that can be used for lots of things, I'd invest on the microscope.

Or maybe I'm just being a Luddite.