From May 12 to May 23, the DRIVE-TB project, implemented by SCDI in collaboration with Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy and the University of Montpellier (France), will conduct health check-ups and tuberculosis (TB) screening for high-risk individuals in Hai Phong. This activity is part of the project's new research phase, targeting individuals suspected of TB infection or those exposed to TB patients, with the aim of early disease detection and timely treatment support.

A total of 229 participants for this round were selected from previous research phases through the Respondent-Driven Sampling (RDS) method. The screenings will take place at two community research offices, Hải Đăng and Vòng Tay Bè Bạn, with support from interviewers from the Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Outreach workers, interviewers, and lab technicians have undergone thorough training to ensure the research phase is conducted effectively and accurately.

Photo: Project clients during a screening session

During the screenings, participants will undergo chest X-rays, Gene Xpert testing, QFT tests, rapid HIV tests, and e-CRF interviews for data collection. They will also receive counseling on TB prevention and harm reduction strategies. After the screenings, community outreach workers will connect individuals diagnosed with TB to the local TB control team and specialized medical facilities to ensure timely treatment.

Photo: A client being guided on sputum collection for Gene Xpert testing

These activities not only help with early screening and treatment, improving outcomes for high-risk individuals in the project area, but also contribute positively to the overarching goal of ending TB by 2030.