KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — Vietnam is the first country in the world to routinely use an innovative method to diagnose tuberculosis (TB) using stool.
The Simple One-Step Stool Method, developed by KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, is implemented in 10 healthcare facilities across the country, according to a statement.
“This simple and painless test is an important development for diagnosing TB in children under the age of five and people living with HIV. This can save many lives and reduce suffering,” said Director of the National Lung Hospital and Head of the Vietnam National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP), Prof Dr Nguyen Viet Nhung.
To raise the number of children being diagnosed and treated on time, the NTP decided to start an implementation pilot – financed by the Global Fund – with the KNCV Simple One-Step (SOS) Stool Method.
This turned out to be very successful and made the NTP decide to continue working with the SOS Stool Method routinely.
Worldwide, sputum from the lungs is currently mainly used as a sample to diagnose TB. However, it can be very difficult for many people living with HIV and children to cough up sputum.
“These invasive methods are often traumatising for the children, parents and healthcare workers. Materials for these procedures are not available everywhere and sometimes it is only done when the child is already very ill.
“This results in many children worldwide not being diagnosed or being diagnosed too late,” said executive director of KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation (KNCV), Mustapha Gidado.
A stool sample is painless and easy to obtain from children. KNCV laboratory experts dove into the matter and developed the SOS Stool Method, that was first presented during the Union World Conference in 2018.
KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation provides online training courses for laboratory staff, so that all countries can start using this method for diagnosing TB in children and people living with HIV. Vietnam sets an example of how this can be done successfully on all levels.
Sources: BERNAMA