The National Tuberculosis Control Programme under the Department of Public Health introduced the Line Probe Assay at the Public Health Laboratory in Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu, today.
Line Probe Assay is a molecular based rapid diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis. It is an advanced technology to diagnose Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis within three days from fresh sputum samples. The conventional method takes three to four months.
The Health Minister, Tandin Wangchuk, inaugurated the Line Probe Assay Technology which approximately costs Nu.1.3 million.
The equipment is funded by the Global for AIDS and TB and Malaria through Transitional Fund Mechanism for TB.
