The problem
Of the estimated 10 million people with TB worldwide each year, 3 million go undiagnosed. For the most vulnerable populations, including children and people living with HIV, the gap is even greater because standard diagnostic tests use sputum samples, which are difficult to produce for these population groups.
Without accurate and timely diagnosis, people are unable to access the right treatment, leading to ongoing transmission and preventable illness and death. In 2023 alone, TB claimed nearly 1.3 million lives worldwide. While new diagnostic technologies are showing promise to close the diagnostics gap, more needs to be done to ensure everyone has access to early, effective TB detection and care.
Our response
This project aims to close the TB diagnostic gap by accelerating the development and introduction of innovative TB diagnostic tools. Building on the earlier DriveDxTB project, which expanded testing options and explored alternative sampling methods, DriveDx4TB TOO will focus on bringing innovative TB diagnostics solutions closer to those who need them most, particularly those who require care at the primary healthcare level.
By improving access to timely, accurate TB diagnosis this project will help reduce TB transmission and deaths, strengthen primary healthcare, and ensure that more people are connected to lifesaving treatment.
