The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) and the India Health Fund (IHF), a Tata Trusts initiative, announced that they are deploying five Truenat™ machines – an innovative, multi-disease diagnostic platform developed by Goa-based Molbio Diagnostics – at select MCGM-run hospitals in Mumbai, to support testing efforts led by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) for, both, COVID-19 and tuberculosis (TB).

Truenat is a chip-based, molecular diagnostic platform, developed in India in collaboration with FIND and with support from IHF, among others. It delivers test results in under 60 minutes. It uses reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to test for multiple diseases including TB, and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) validated an assay for COVID-19 before the end of May 2020.

Each of the select MCGM sites are now being equipped with the Truenat platform, requisite laboratory staff, test cartridges and consumables. The testing facilities will be in the same premises or in close vicinity of the rapid antigen testing site(s), which will minimise sample collection and transportation challenges, reduce waiting times for patients, and limit the chances to spread COVID-19. 

Madhav Joshi, CEO, India Health Fund, said, “Innovations are enabling the strengthening of the healthcare response and to that effect we are supplementing the MCGM’s sustained efforts in the screening, diagnosis of TB and Covid-19.”

Sanjay Sarin, Head, FIND India, said, “This collaboration with IHF and MCGM will save lives by enabling timely testing and streamlining patient processes, which will help limit the spread of disease.”