WHO standard: universal access to rapid tuberculosis diagnostics

The WHO standard: Universal access to rapid tuberculosis diagnostics sets benchmarks to achieve universal access to WHO-recommended rapid diagnostics (WRDs), increase bacteriologically confirmed tuberculosis and drug resistance detection, and reduce the time to diagnosis. WHO-recommended rapid diagnostics are highly accurate, cost-effective, reduce the time to treatment initiation, and impact patient-important outcomes.

The WHO Standard comprises twelve benchmarks to be computed by countries in the four steps of the diagnostic cascade: identifying presumptive tuberculosis, accessing testing, being tested, and receiving a diagnosis. Mapping of enablers, approaches, and solutions to scale up the use of WRDs is provided to assist countries in meeting the standard and related benchmarks. Specific investment considerations are also provided, as well as two country case studies providing real-world examples of implementation Universal access to tuberculosis diagnostics will result in better health for all and reduce the unacceptably high mortality due to this curable and preventable disease. It will require investment and concerted work by countries, partners, donors and civil society.