Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) recent report revealed the launch of more competent and reliable diagnostic test for detecting the drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB).

The machine called as "GeneXpert" is capable of performing the nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) which is effective in early detection of TB, drug resistant TB, and TB patients infected with HIV.

Harmans, who now works as a TB counselor, said, "I'm so proud to finally have this test," said Xoliswa Harmans, a former patient with extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) and HIV, whose diagnosis in 2008 took six weeks. "It was very difficult [waiting for my results]. I was very sick. I couldn't eat and was losing weight."

As the machine facilitates the easy loading of the sputum samples, thus becomes more easy to use.

Only the patients diagnosed with DR-TB are eligible for ARV Treatment while patients suffering from TB only are eligible for CD4 count (which measures immune system strength) falls below 350.

The case detection has significantly improved from 118 in 2006 to 231 in 2009 and 80% of the detected cases received medicine.

The treatment for DR TB has severe side effects causing from deafness of the patient to nausea in the patient.

The DR TB treatment for 2 years can cost up to US$9,000 which is 470 time more as compared to the cost incurred in curing the standard TB patient.