The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), through the Tuberculosis Local Organisations Network (TBLON) project, has received 5000 LAM Test Kits at an estimated value of K415,000, from Abbott diagnostics

Speaking during the Handover Ceremony, Abbot Country Representative Mr John Mapulanga noted that, as one of CIDRZ long standing vendors, his company felt the need to incorporate a component of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by sharing some of their products with the organisation.

“This donation of the test kits is our company’s effort to contribute to the betterment of the healthcare system in Zambia”, said Mr Mapulanga.

And receiving the donation on behalf of CIDRZ, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Mr Emmanuel Qua- Enoo said, CIDRZ was very grateful for the donation and will ensure it goes a long way towards achieving the national goal of ending Tuberculosis (TB) by the year 2030.

“As Zambia strives to end TB by the year 2030, the role of the private sector cannot be overemphasized. We are extremely delighted to have Abbott diagnostics as a partner to CIDRZ through the TBLON project and we look forward to seeing the impact of this donation on TB case detection in Zambia”, said Mr Qua- Enoo. 

He explained that the donation comes through the local capital mobilization activities for TB, which is one of the objectives of the project to strengthen private sector engagement in the fight against TB.

“These test kits will be provided to hospitals in supported facilities under the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Home Affairs for diagnosis of TB among People Living with HIV and under 5 children with moderate or severe acute malnutrition,” said Mr Qua-Enoo.

The CIDRZ implemented TBLON project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The goal of the project is to support TB prevention care and treatment in Zambia and currently, the project supports nine (9) districts in Lusaka and Southern provinces.

The project further seeks to strengthen private sector engagement by increasing the total number of TB cases detected, through support and development of workplace policies for TB.

In Zambia, LAM is currently being used among People Living with HIV and under 5 children with severe or acute malnutrition. The test is carried out using urine, which is easy to collect especially in children in whom collection of sputum is a challenge. LAM provides results within 25 minutes which is shorter compared to other TB diagnostics.  Additionally, when used in combination with other tools, the risk of missing a TB case is minimized.