Delayed or missed diagnoses significantly increase the burden of TB transmission within our communities. In hard-to-reach settings and TB hotspots, the barrier to diagnosis is not just a lack of technology it is distance.
Because GeneXpert machines are limited and unavailable at most local health posts and facilities, many patients face a stark reality: Distance = Lost to Follow-up.
Bridging the Gap
To overcome this, our team works alongside local healthcare workers. Driven by a deep commitment to saving lives, we have implemented a streamlined, community-centered process to ensure no patient is left behind:
- Field Screening: We conduct symptom-based and digital X-ray screenings directly in the community.
- Sample Logistics: Our team collects sputum samples on-site and manually transports them to the nearest GeneXpert site for rapid testing.
- Accelerated Care: By strengthening these referral networks, we are effectively cutting down wait times, preventing loss to follow-up, and ensuring patients receive the treatment they need, faster.
We are proud to lead this effort through the Urban TB LON II project, supported by the U.S. Government.