FG deploys 333 Truenat devices to revolutionise TB diagnostics

The Federal Government, with support from the Global Fund, has deployed 333 Truenat devices across the country in an effort to combat tuberculosis (TB) and drug-resistant TB (DR-TB).

Mrs Rita Akpakpan, Head of Laboratory Services at the Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program (NTBLCP), disclosed this to newsmen on the side-lines of the 2024 National Tuberculosis Conference on Thursday in Abuja.

Akpakpan said that the initiative was expected to transform TB diagnostics in peripheral and underserved areas, significantly boosting case detection rates and improving access to timely care.

“Nigeria accounts for 75 per cent of the global “missing TB cases” and 70 per cent of missing DR-TB cases due to limited access to rapid molecular testing in rural and remote areas.

“The Truenat system, developed by India-based Molbio Diagnostics, offers a portable, battery-operated, and solar-compatible solution designed for point-of-care testing,” she said.

She said that Truenat had proven to drastically reduce diagnostic turnaround times while increasing TB case detection rates.

“This deployment will enable NTBLCP to test an additional 8,000 people daily, or two million more annually, helping to curtail community transmission and ensuring early treatment, “she said.

According to her, the Truenat device stands out for its suitability in resource-limited settings.

“The device is compact, rugged, and dust-tolerant. It operates efficiently in temperatures of up to 40°C without air conditioning and has minimal biosafety issues.

“This makes it ideal for Nigeria’s remote and high-temperature regions,” she said.

She said that the system could detect TB and Rifampicin resistance by extracting, amplifying, and identifying specific genomic DNA, providing rapid and accurate results at the point of care.

Dr Emperor Ubochioma, the Programme Management Unit Team Lead, emphasised the transformative nature of the initiative:

“This deployment empowers our healthcare system with advanced diagnostic tools that reach hard-to-reach areas.

“We are confident that this will significantly improve TB detection rates and treatment outcomes, reducing the burden of TB in our country,” he said.

He said that to ensure seamless implementation, Molbio Diagnostics and NTBLCP were conducting nationwide training sessions for end users, alongside the installation of the devices.

Mr Sriram Natarajan, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Molbio Diagnostics, highlighted the significance of this effort:

“The deployment of 333 Truenat devices in Nigeria marks a significant milestone in our mission to provide innovative diagnostic solutions to underserved regions.

“We are committed to supporting Nigeria in its fight against TB and improving public health outcomes.