Dr Shastri (center) oversees lab technicians using TrueNat technology for COVID-19 testing at Nair hospital in Mumbai, India.

In Mumbai, a diagnostic tool devised and manufactured in India called Truenat is allowing hospitals to do co-testing for both COVID-19 and TB. The technology allows for rapid, onsite COVID-19 testing for symptomatic people and also facilitates tuberculosis screening of people with COVID-19 symptoms. It has the potential to be used around the world.

“The capability of doing co-testing for both COVID-19 and TB is a real boon for both patients and physicians,” said Dr. Jayanthi Shastri, Head of the Microbiology Department at Nair Hospital. “It allows us to better understand the two diseases and their complications.”

Dr. Shastri said the new technology could potentially be a game changer. Truenat, which delivers test results in under 60 minutes, allows clinicians to tackle both diseases with the same approach. The testing facility in her Mumbai hospital reduces waiting times for patients and limits the chances of spreading COVID-19.