Novel Technologies to Increase the Accessibility and Accuracy of Tuberculosis Diagnostic Services in Hanoi Province, Vietnam

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Investigator: Adithya Cattamanchi, MD
Sponsor: World Health Organization (WHO)

Location(s): Viet Nam

Description

Current TB diagnostic services in Vietnam are centralized, with TB suspects identified at primary-level health centres being referred to microscopy units at district health centres. This project seeks to decentralize diagnostic services by implementing a novel, mobile phone-based microscopy technology called CellScope to provide same-day LED fluorescence microscopy services at communal health posts. It aims to be implemented in 4 districts in Hanoi Province, reaching a total population of 1,081,454 people. Within these districts, 61 health posts will be organized into 15 clusters, with each cluster having one CellScope device. With the device, a minimally trained health worker can capture diagnostic-quality LED fluorescence images of stained sputum smears. These high-resolution images, compressed to require minimal bandwidth, can be transmitted over the mobile phone network for review by trained microscopistor analysed on site using automated image analysis software. Each health centre will be provided with an inexpensive Netbook computer equipped with CellScope software to assist with identification and enlargement of fluorescent particles within images. Trained microscopists will review the images and transmit traceable results back to community health workers via SMS messages