Building on its long-standing commitment to strengthening tuberculosis services in Bangladesh, Damien Foundation is launching an innovative Near Point-of-Care (NPOC) TB diagnostics initiative to bring rapid, high-quality testing closer to communities most affected by the disease. Despite significant progress in expanding molecular diagnostics under the National Strategic Plan (2024–2030), important gaps persist in peripheral and hard-to-reach areas where smear microscopy remains the primary diagnostic modality. Geographical barriers, limited laboratory infrastructure, sample transportation challenges, and difficulties in sputum collection particularly among children and vulnerable populations continue to delay diagnosis and treatment initiation. To address these challenges, the New Initiative 2025 will introduce Near Point-of-Care (NPOC) TB diagnostics in selected peripheral health facilities, generating operational and diagnostic evidence to inform national policy and potential scale-up. Damine foundation is pioneering NPOC implementation in Bangladesh through this project.
The project will deploy the portable, cartridge-based Pluslife MiniDock platform to enable rapid molecular TB testing, including swab-based options for individuals unable to produce sputum, thereby expanding access in microscopy-only settings. Patients with positive results will be promptly initiated on treatment according to national guidelines and referred for drug-resistance screening to strengthen the diagnostic cascade. Approved by the National Tuberculosis Programme and implemented with financial support from TB REACH.