With the aim of eradicating Tuberculosis (TB) by 2025 as per the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), the Government of Maharashtra has deployed 150 Truenat devices at peripheral labs in all the districts to speed up TB testing. This enhances the state’s testing capability by providing the test results in less than one hour. 

Endorsed by WHO in 2020 as the world’s first point-of-care rapid molecular diagnostic platform for the diagnosis of TB as a replacement for microscopy, the Truenat technology has the ability to operate in resource-limited settings with minimal dependence on infrastructure and skilled manpower. 

Under the guidance of Dr N D Deshmukh, CMO STDC (State Training Demonstration Centre) Pune, IRL Pune, Maharashtra state conducted Truenat training programme in association with Molbio Diagnostics, the manufacturer and innovator of the Truenat platform and Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), India to increase the TB testing skills. 

The training programme was held at the State Training Demonstration Center (STDC) IRL Pune, Maharashtra and was attended by 160 trainees. The STLS (Senior tuberculosis laboratory supervisor) and  LTs (laboratory technicians) were trained on proper sputum sample collection, packaging, transportation, processing for TB diagnosis, and hands-on training for each individual on Truenat devices. They were also trained on the result interpretation and reporting techniques and action points to be taken at Truenat centres.