Neftaly: Strengthening the Laboratory Network to Advance TB Diagnosis and Meet the Challenges of the Stop TB Strategy

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health threat, increasingly complicated by drug resistance, co-infections, and health system weaknesses. The Stop TB Strategy calls for bold action to end the TB epidemic by 2030, with early and accurate diagnosis being a central pillar.

At Neftaly (South African Youth Project), we are committed to supporting national and regional efforts to strengthen laboratory networks — a critical step in scaling up effective TB responses, improving case detection, and adapting to emerging diagnostic needs.

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Program Goal

To build a resilient, quality-assured, and accessible laboratory network that can rapidly detect all forms of TB and respond to new diagnostic challenges aligned with the global Stop TB Strategy.

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Strategic Objectives

• Expand access to rapid and accurate TB diagnostics, especially for drug-resistant TB and TB-HIV co-infections.
• Strengthen the capacity and quality systems of laboratories at national and sub-national levels.
• Improve integration of laboratory data into TB surveillance, patient management, and policy-making.
• Enhance the laboratory network’s readiness to respond to emerging TB diagnostic needs, including new technologies and complex case profiles.

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Key Intervention Areas

1. Diagnostic Expansion and Innovation

• Scale up use of WHO-recommended rapid diagnostics (e.g., GeneXpert MTB/RIF, Truenat, LAMP).
• Support introduction and scale-up of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and line probe assays (LPAs) for drug resistance detection.
• Enable laboratories to test for TB in difficult-to-reach populations (e.g., children, people with HIV) using innovative sample types like stool or urine.

2. Laboratory Capacity Building

• Train and mentor laboratory personnel in biosafety, quality assurance, molecular diagnostics, and data reporting.
• Strengthen National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) and their support role to peripheral labs.
• Establish and expand diagnostic capacity in remote and underserved regions to reduce inequities in access.

3. Quality Management and Accreditation

• Support implementation of Laboratory Quality Management Systems (LQMS) and ISO 15189 accreditation processes.
• Coordinate external quality assurance (EQA) programs and on-site supervisory visits to improve performance.
• Develop and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) across the diagnostic cascade.

4. Data Systems and Surveillance Integration

• Integrate laboratory data into national TB surveillance platforms and case-based reporting tools.
• Use digital health tools for real-time data sharing, monitoring, and forecasting of TB diagnostic trends.
• Link laboratory outputs to patient care systems to ensure prompt treatment initiation and follow-up.

5. Multisectoral Collaboration and Policy Support

• Facilitate partnerships between laboratories, national TB programs, academic institutions, and private sector actors.
• Advocate for sustained domestic investment and international support to strengthen lab infrastructure and systems.
• Support alignment of lab strengthening with national strategic plans and global TB targets.

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Anticipated Outcomes

• Increased access to timely and reliable TB diagnosis, including for MDR-TB.
• Stronger laboratory governance, coordination, and standardization across levels.
• Improved detection and reporting of TB cases, especially in high-burden and hard-to-reach populations.
• A lab network capable of meeting current TB demands and future diagnostic challenges.

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Why This Matters

Without robust diagnostic systems, TB remains undetected, untreated, and continues to spread. Strengthening laboratory networks is essential to end the TB epidemic, protect vulnerable populations, and fulfill the vision of the Stop TB Strategy — zero deaths, disease, and suffering due to TB.

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Partner With Neftaly

Neftaly welcomes partnerships with ministries of health, national TB programs, laboratory institutions, donors, and civil society to drive transformative improvements in TB diagnostics.