Ethiopia is significantly stepping up its fight against drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) with a new national initiative focused on early case finding and effective management of INH mono-resistant TB (Hr-TB). Under the Urban TB LON II project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Regional Health Bureaus, a kickoff workshop has been conducted to initiate this vital effort. The goal is to improve early diagnosis of Hr-TB by expanding the use of the advanced Xpert MTB/XDR Assay in high-TB-load public health facilities and DR-TB Treatment Initiation Centers (TICs). This accurate detection is crucial for immediately starting the correct treatment, preventing the disease’s spread, and ultimately saving lives. By integrating this diagnostic technology, the country is strengthening its national TB program and accelerating progress toward eliminating TB by 2030.
To guarantee the successful rollout of this high-impact initiative, a series of sensitization workshops are currently being held for key TB and Laboratory focal persons from across the country. These four crucial, one-day sessions will equip healthcare workers with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively utilize the Xpert MTB/XDR Assay for Hr-TB case management. The workshops for Addis Ababa & Shaggar City, which took place in Bishoftu on October 24, 2025, have already been concluded. Upcoming sessions include Dire Dawa on October 31, 2025, and Hawassa on November 6 & 7, 2025.This workshop officially marks the start of the expanded use of this advanced technology, paving the way for better patient outcomes and significantly strengthening the national effort to End TB and save lives.
