Lesotho faces a high burden of tuberculosis, with an estimated 15,000 people developing the disease in 2023. TB and HIV remain closely linked, and more than 8,400 people developed both conditions that year. The impact is severe, as 5,300 people died due to TB in 2023 alone. While services are improving, many people still go undiagnosed. Drug-resistant TB also adds complexity to care and control.
In this context, early detection and reliable screening play a crucial role in reducing transmission and improving outcomes nationwide.
In 2018, we delivered 3 CAD4TB to LTE Medical Supplies. In 2020, Swiss TPH in Lesotho procured 2 Delft OneStopTB X-ray Clinics, each fitted with an EasyDR X-ray system. The mobile clinics were used to support the Seboche and Mokhotlong hospitals. That same year, we supplied several Delft Light systems, each paired with CAD4TB, to Swiss TPH and partners through an EDCTP-supported initiative.
In 2022, Swiss TPH added a Delft Ultra to the nation’s diagnostic capacity. In 2023, 2 additional Delft OneStopTB X-ray Clinics were deployed by the nation’s NTP, both equipped with EasyDR and CAD4TB, to expand screening access nationwide.
Making a difference
Research paper
A 2024 study evaluating C-reactive protein and computer-aided analysis of chest X-rays as tuberculosis triage tests in Lesotho and South Africa concluded that CAD4TBv7 is an accurate triage test for patients with tuberculosis symptoms in areas with a high burden of tuberculosis and HIV.
