WHO donates TB testing machines

World Health Organisation (WHO) has donated modern TB testing machines to the Maldives.

Dr. Arvind Mathur donated the Genexpert machines on behalf of WHO at a special ceremony held in the Health Ministry. Health Minister Abdulla Ameen received the machines on behalf of the Maldives.

The machines will help determine if an individual is infected with TB within two hours and whether they are resistant to medications. Currently, it takes three days for tests to determine whether a person is infected. The new machines will allow treatments to be started quickly. 

Maldives has taken the initiative to eradicate the country of TB and even formed a national strategy for that purpose in February 2018. It was also a pledge of the government to begin the treatment of TB using modern technology within the first 100 days.

Two regions in the country have also started providing GeneXpert services. H.Dh Kulhudhuffushi regional hospital and G.Dh Thinadhoo Abdul Samad memorial hospital currently provides GeneXpert services, while previously it was only IGMH in Male' city that provided the service. Ministry of Health had also formed a high-level National Steering Committee to rid the country of TB and carried out screening sessions and awareness programs during the World TB Day.