It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to provide appropriate response to contain the spread of tuberculosis in the country.

This was said by Dr Mphu Ramatlapeng, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare during the inauguration of the tuberculosis (TB) Molecular Biology Laboratory at Queen Elizabeth II hospital in Maseru on Monday.

Dr Ramatlapeng said the introduction of the laboratory marks another milestone in the management and treatment of TB, adding that the modern molecular technique will detect Multi-Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB) within 24 hours as against the minimum two-three weeks when conventional methods were used.

The Minister added that management of MDR-TB is one of the critical elements of TB control, urging all partners in health to join forces in tackling the problem.

On the other hand, she expressed gratitude to World Health Organisation, including Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) for having collaborated with her Ministry in establishing the laboratory.

Speaking on behalf of FIND, Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Giorgio Roscigno said the establishment of the modern technology will allow proper and timely treatment of TB.

“I am proud to say that this is the most modern TB labs which will also become a training centre in the region,” he lamented.

Meanwhile, more than seven employees of Queen Elizabeth II have already been trained in managing the laboratory.

The introduction of the modern technology follows the launching of the MDR-TB hospital in Maseru as well as the state-of-the-art Central TB reference laboratory last year.

Reports from World Health Organisation show that TB infection is on the rise and currently 26 percent, which is equivalent to 2.7 million of all avoidable deaths in the world are due to TB.

The report further show that TB is spread through inhalation of airborne bacterium's tuberculosis cells, which multiply and affect normal lung function and can rupture to spread the pathogen.

Source: LENA 24/11/2008