Following the UN High-Level Declaration and a commitment made during the 17th TRAC Annual TB Research Conference and World TB Day commemoration held in Gondar, USAID has delivered 156 state-of-the-art GeneXpert machines to Ethiopia.
Valued at $3 million, the 10-color GeneXpert machines were officially handed over to the Ministry of Health at ALERT Hospital. The goal is to enhance access to advanced TB diagnostic technology, revolutionizing the coverage and availability of rapid TB diagnostic tools in Ethiopia.
During the handover ceremony, State Minister of Health Dr. Dereje Duguma emphasized the Ministry’s new 7-year strategic plan to eradicate TB, with USAID Ethiopia playing a pivotal role in its implementation. Dr. Dereje praised USAID’s support in bridging the gap in rapid molecular TB testing access and commended their dedication to eliminating TB from Ethiopia.
This latest contribution brings the total number of GeneXpert machines provided by USAID to 391. The Ethiopian Government’s Ministry of Health extends its gratitude to the American people, government, and USAID for their invaluable support, the state minster added.
USAID Ethiopia Mission Director Mr. Scott Hocklander highlighted the longstanding partnership between Ethiopia and the United States in various health sectors. The American government invests $200 million annually to bolster Ethiopia’s health system, with the recent support playing a crucial role in disease prevention and control efforts.
USAID’s commitment to Ethiopia’s health programs includes prioritizing TB initiatives, said Dr. Yewulsew Kassie, Senior Infectious Disease Advisor at USAID/Ethiopia Health Office, noting significant progress in the country’s TB program. However, Dr. Yewulsew emphasized the ongoing challenges in ending TB and reaffirmed USAID’s dedication to supporting Ethiopia.
Dr. Shimeles Gezahegn, Manager of Alert Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, emphasized that USAID’s support extends beyond TB testing expansion to strengthening hospital capacities for treating drug-resistant TB patients. He also underscored the need for additional resources to maximize the hospital’s treatment capabilities.
It has been stated that the GeneXpert machines obtained will be transferred to health institutions in affected regions and areas where TB is prevalent. This strategic distribution aims to ensure that the cutting-edge technology reaches those most in need and contributes to the nationwide efforts to combat tuberculosis effectively.
