Optimized national diagnostic networks are key to increasing access to high-quality diagnostics. Evidence from the implementation of technological and service level innovations such as mapping testing and referral facilities, multi-disease testing on multiplex platforms, integrated data systems as well as performance monitoring shows that diagnostic optimization is a critical contributor to universal coverage for HIV, TB and co-infections services. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, some Sub-Saharan African countries have leveraged more than a decade of investments in strengthening and optimizing their diagnostics networks, particularly for HIV and TB, to quickly adopt and integrate SARS-COV-2 testing across existing conventional and point-of-care (POC) platforms. This session will focus on the impact of optimized diagnostics networks in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and how diagnostic capacity mapping, data management, sample transport, and waste management have helped drive uptake of SARS-COV-2 testing. Diverse speakers will discuss these topics and share lessons learned.