Hon Speaker, the GeneXpert machine was unveiled in March 2011 to roll out a first-line test to diagnose tuberculosis throughout the country. It is able to diagnose both TB and rifampicin- resistant MDR and XDR in about two hours. This happens while the patient waits so that the test, diagnosis and treatment can take place on the same day.
People who are tested using this technology can be diagnosed and be put on effective treatment months earlier than otherwise possible. The GeneXpert technology does not require highly trained personnel. Nurses can be trained to perform this function. Thus far, 54 people have been trained to perform this function.
Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal has been given this new Infinity-48 machine, which is capable of performing about 200 tests in an eight-hour shift. This is the only such machine in Africa and South Africa; the other machines are in the United States. KwaZulu-Natal has a high prevalence of tuberculosis, hence the province was provided with this technology.
G16s have been placed in each of the provinces in the country, and G4s have been placed at various sites across the country. Furthering the fight against TB, the eThekwini infectious disease control centre in Durban has managed to use digital X-rays so that all the X-rays are digitally stored on computer and cannot be lost at any time. I thank you. [Applause.]