Challenge TB Botswana Year 2 Annual Report

The project focuses on providing technical assistance to the Botswana National TB Program (BNTP) and the National TB Reference Laboratory (NTRL). Key objectives include optimizing the utilization of GeneXpert technology, conducting a national TB prevalence survey, establishing reliable culture and drug susceptibility testing services, and ensuring access to Xpert testing for all presumptive TB patients. The project has achieved significant results, including the rollout and implementation of GxAlert, a remote monitoring system for GeneXpert devices. This system allows for automatic real-time reporting of test results and has been successfully implemented in 34 health facilities across the country. The system has reported over 21,000 test results and has established national-level notifications for new identified drug-resistant TB cases. The National TB Reference Laboratory (NTRL) has also undergone renovation and re-opening, with technical support from the Challenge TB project. The laboratory, which is the only culture and drug susceptibility testing laboratory in Botswana, has been facing challenges with the provision of services. The TB containment facility has not been functional for almost two years, but with the installation of a new ventilation system, the laboratory is now able to provide routine culture monitoring services. The project has also made significant contributions to the implementation of the Global Fund, including the introduction of Bedaquiline and Delamanid for eligible patients with MDR-TB and pre-XDR-TB. The project has provided comprehensive technical support to the Ministry of Health (MoH) and has enabled the MoH to achieve key results, including the rollout and implementation of GxAlert and the renovation and re-opening of the NTRL. The project's key results include: * Rollout and implementation of GxAlert, a remote monitoring system for GeneXpert devices * Renovation and re-opening of the NTRL, the only culture and drug susceptibility testing laboratory in Botswana * Introduction of Bedaquiline and Delamanid for eligible patients with MDR-TB and pre-XDR-TB * Establishment of reliable culture and drug susceptibility testing services * Ensuring access to Xpert testing for all presumptive TB patients The project has also established a strong partnership with the MoH and has provided technical assistance to the BNTP and NTRL. The project's success has been recognized through the achievement of key results and the establishment of a strong partnership with the MoH. The project's future plans include continuing to provide support to the MoH and the BNTP, as well as enhancing the ability to get maximum value from the GxAlert system. The project also plans to integrate other infectious disease tests, such as HIV and hepatitis, into the GeneXpert platform and link GxAlert with other health systems to create a fully integrated infectious disease surveillance system.