The Ministry of Health announced on Mar. 24 the introduction of ten new molecular biology devices to improve the rapid and precise detection of tuberculosis, HIV, and other infectious diseases across eight regions in Peru. Specialized training for health professionals is underway to ensure the correct use and implementation of this technology, which aims to benefit vulnerable populations.
The initiative is led by the National Institute of Health (INS) and the Directorate of the Tuberculosis Control Program. It seeks to enhance timely diagnosis, early treatment, and infection control, especially in areas with a high burden of disease. The training began in March and will continue throughout 2026 until full implementation is achieved.
The equipment was acquired through funding from the Global Fund for 2022-2025 and has been distributed to regional laboratory networks in Amazonas, Ayacucho, Áncash, Cusco, Junín, Ica, Loreto, and Ucayali. This strengthens diagnostic capacity in strategic parts of the country by enabling faster identification of pathogens with high precision.
The INS’s National Reference Laboratory for Mycobacteria plays a key role as a technical leader by coordinating installation efforts as well as providing training and technical support needed for implementing molecular tests for tuberculosis diagnosis at prioritized health centers.
According to officials involved in this process, specialized training ensures that healthcare professionals have necessary skills to maximize use of these technologies while guaranteeing reliable results. This effort also strengthens national epidemiological surveillance.
Beyond tuberculosis diagnosis, these molecular devices can be used for managing various infections according to healthcare system needs—representing significant progress toward modernizing diagnostic services and improving response capacity against communicable diseases.
