Reaching the 100 by 2027 target for universal access to rapid molecular diagnostic tests for tuberculosis in Africa: In-sight but out of reach.

Summary: Imagine trying to find out if you have a serious sickness, but your local clinic doesn't have the right tools. Over ten years ago, health experts said doctors should use fast, new tests for tuberculosis (TB). But in Africa, many clinics still don't have them. A new study looked at 24 African countries and found that only a little more than half of the people with TB got this fast test in 2023. Some countries are doing a great job, but many are falling behind. Why? Because of money problems, broken shipping rules, and not enough workers. To fix this, countries need better plans and better ways to move medical tests around. Right now, only 7 out of 24 countries are on track to meet the goal of testing everyone by 2027.