2010
Rolling out faster TB diagnostics in high endemic countries
On behalf of the UNITAID supported EXPANDx-TB programme, FIND and partners are rolling out rapid TB diagnostics and giving extensive trainings on the latest, WHO-endorsed technologies for the diagnosis of TB and multidrug-resistant TB.
New partnership promises improved TB diagnosis
42 Technology, experts in the industrial design of low cost, high precision mechanisms for use in the health and medical sectors, among others, are collaborating with FIND to develop a rapid TB test that can identify patients much earlier in the disease process.
Broadening access to MDR-TB diagnosis
An extension of the EXPANDx-TB (Expanding Access to New Diagnostics for TB) Project was signed by partners Friday, 28 May 2010. This unique collaboration will narrow the diagnostic gap in MDR-TB control by increasing access to new diagnostic technologies in 27 highly endemic countries.
Richard O'Brien receives ATS award
Dr. Rick O’Brien, head of Product Evaluation and Demonstration at FIND, said that he was "deeply honored by the award, but much of the credit for what I have accomplished must go to many colleagues with whom I have worked over the years."
Malaria RDT Product Testing Evaluation Programme publishes Round 2 results
The publication of a second round of evaluations of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), which will help countries quickly identify which patients have the disease and need immediate treatment, was announced for World Malaria Day 2010. The latest evaluations were co-sponsored by WHO/TDR, GMP, FIND and CDC.
FIND and Lesotho Ministry of Health organize laboratory strengthening seminar
A one day seminar on “Laboratory Strengthening in high TB-burden African Countries” was held in Maseru, Lesotho, on 24 February 2010. Its main objective was to address the response to the MDR-TB crisis in the broader context of national laboratory policies.
Diagnosing drug-resistant TB for better, faster treatment
One year has passed since the inception of the EXPANDx-TB (Expanding Access to New Diagnostics for TB) project, a UNITAID-funded joint collaboration between FIND, WHO, the Global Laboratory Initiative (GLI) and the Stop TB Partnership Global Drug Facility (GDF). Over a span of five years and across 27 countries, the project aims to narrow the diagnostic gap in MDR-TB control by increasing access to new diagnostic technologies within appropriate laboratory services at country level.
On behalf of EXPANDx-TB, FIND signs MOU with India
On Monday, 8 March 2010, Dr. L.S. Chauhan, Central TB Division of India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, presided over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Mr. M.K. Mishra, Under Secretary of the MOHFW, and Dr. Giorgio Roscigno, who signed on behalf of EXPANDx-TB, a scale-up project funded by UNITAID.
Partners improve malaria reporting
FIND, Columbia University’s Earth Institute, and the Ugandan Ministry of Health (MOH) have developed and launched a health monitoring system based on text messaging (SMS, or short message service). The primary goal of the partnership is to support health units located in remote areas in Africa to compile data on malaria cases, the use of malaria diagnostics, stocks of anti-malarial commodities, and disease surveillance.
Point of care test for sleeping sickness
A landmark agreement between FIND and Standard Diagnostics (SD) Inc. in the Republic of Korea will result in commercial development of a point of care (POC) rapid diagnostic test for sleeping sickness. This follows the successful completion of three years of research by FIND and partners that has resulted in the identification of a set of probes which, when used alone or in combination, can accurately detect cases of the disease.
Laboratory training on liquid culture and drug susceptibility testing of TB
Opening talk given by Dr. Yuthichai Kasetjaroen, Director of the Bureau of Tuberculosis, Thailand
FIND and partners continue to lay the foundation for a steady and rapid implementation of new TB technologies. A recent training held in Bangkok instructed technicians from India, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand to perform and interpret quality assured liquid culture, species identification and drug susceptibility testing of TB.
Collecting evidence for scaling up of liquid culture in high TB endemic countries
A paper published in the International Journal for Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IJTLD) this month summarizes the methods used and results obtained during the experience of strengthening laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis in a resource-limited country with high incidence of TB and HIV. The promising evidence for scale up of FIND-developed, new and improved diagnostic technologies became instrumental in obtaining UNITAID support in 2009 to further scale up these tests in 27 high endemic countries under the EXPAND-TB project.