Fighting TB with a Drive-in Film and Test

In light of a study published in BMC Medicine, authors Nancy Fullman and Alexandra Wollum take a deeper dive into Nigeria’s gains against polio and what they could mean for the country’s routine vaccine systems.

Tuberculosis is still a rampant problem in the developing world. Doctors are looking for even more advanced ways to test for TB beyond the GeneXpert tests.

Cases of malaria in Uganda are increasing, and early diagnoses are key to managing the situation. Piggybacking off of the idea of using paper sensors, doctors have successfully been able to use this financially savvy way of testing with 98 percent accuracy and are now looking at implementing the process in rural areas where diagnoses are most difficult.

Through well-coordinated efforts by healthcare workers, those living in rural, hard-to-reach areas were able to access the COVID-19 vaccine. As of July 2023, 83.9% of the country’s total population had been vaccinated with their first dose and 83.4% had received their second dose.

With rapid diagnostic tests, Nigerians with malaria symptoms can get a quicker diagnosis at a lower cost, especially in regions where lab-based testing is not available. The tests have made it easier to get a diagnosis in places where malaria is prevalent, but many Nigerians still don't know the tests are an option or choose to self-medicate due to lack of trust in the local health system.

In early January, doctors at UW Medical Center began preparing for a coronavirus outbreak by transforming a research lab into a screening center for coronavirus that delivers results within a day. Now, coupled with a mobile clinic that allows for people to be tested from within the confines of their cars, the city has been able to test a large volume of people more safely than if they were being tested from within a hospital.

South Korea has taken a softer approach to preventing and containing the coronavirus, in large part because they’ve prioritized accessible testing and have an already-existing strong and affordable healthcare system. Beyond that, the government has centered on citizen education – sending daily updates about new cases and provided a hotline for questions and concerns.

To limit exposure during coronavirus testing, South Korea began piloting drive-thru test sites that allow those being tested to remain in their cars. The drive-thru, which sends results to the patient via text message three days later, has tested nearly 400 people in one day, helping to ease pressure oncovi other testing sites.

Cold storage supply chains improve the reliability of vaccine delivery. In Nigeria’s Kano State, the establishment of zonal cold stores has increased immunization coverage. Local nodes equipped with solar powered refrigeration provide storage for vaccines, which are then delivered to supply smaller health centers in the area. The initiative came from a partnership between the Nigerian state and nonprofits, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

In Katsina, Nigeria, the region has made significant public health strides toward infectious disease prevention and control. The country’s Centre for Disease Control, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and Emergency Operations Centre are all leading efforts to increase immunization, inform people about prevention and treatment, and increase the infrastructure to treat outbreaks when they occur.