The Aurum Institute

11/06/2026

As comes to a close, we leave with a renewed call to act together to end TB.

In his closing keynote, South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile reflected on the conference theme and called for a united response that confronts the realities of South Africa’s TB burden, embraces innovation in diagnostics and technologies, protects households, saves lives, and recognises that TB control is everyone’s responsibility.

The closing plenary also reflected the importance of translating innovation into impact. Mthokozisi Dube, Aurum Study Coordinator and conference rapporteur for Track 3: Harnessing AI, highlighted a key takeaway from the discussions that technology alone is not enough. Stronger health systems, quality data, and improving the overall patient experience remain essential to realising the potential of AI in TB care.

We also saw Dr Lindiwe Tsope, Aurum Project Coordinator participation in the SAMRC “The Race to a TB-Free World” campaign, helping keep momentum for collective action beyond the conference.

And as one conference closes, we look ahead with pride. We are pleased to share that Aurum’s TB Technical Specialist, Dr Mamothe Makgabo Makgabo, together with AHRI’s Prof Limakatso Lebina, will chair the 2028 conference, an exciting opportunity to help shape the next chapter of South Africa’s TB response.

Until 2028. Vuka!

National Department of Health (South Africa) FPD Conferences and Special Events SA Medical Research Council Africa Health Research Institute

10/06/2026

Today at , Aurum researchers and experts shared evidence and insights across prevention, paediatric TB, post-TB lung disease, and and community engagement in vaccine trials.

In Session 3: Preventing TB in Close Contacts, Jeniffer Nagudi, Statistician, presented findings on determinants of tuberculosis preventive therapy (TPT) uptake and completion amongst caregivers of child contacts across three high TB burden countries. Her presentation highlighted how understanding the importance of TPT encouraged caregivers to initiate treatment for children, while also noting the need to explore less invasive TB testing methods for children.

Dr Juli Switala, Senior Technical Specialist: Paediatric HIV and TB, presented in Session 1: Clinical & Programmatic DR-TB on the impact of stool-based TB testing on TPT initiation among child contacts of TB patients in Ekurhuleni. Findings from the CUT TB Stool Sub Study showed that home-based sample collection offers a more convenient option for TB testing in children by reducing facility visits and referrals.

In Session 5: Host Response & Treatment Biology, Dr Pholo Maenetje, Senior Scientist, shared findings from the INFIN-TB and Cytokine Sub Study, which identified inflammatory pathways associated with distinct post-tuberculosis lung disease outcomes.

Aurum also contributed scientific leadership, with Dr Priashni Subrayen, Technical Director: TB, chairing Session 5: From Paper to Practice: Delivering TB Impact at Scale - Facility and Community.

The day also featured a poster presentation by John Mdluli, Head of Department: Community, on enhancing the acceptability of a phase three TB vaccine trial in the Matlosana subdistrict, contributing to ongoing conversations on community engagement in TB vaccine research.

FPD Conferences and Special Events SA Medical Research Council National Department of Health (South Africa)

10/06/2026

Innovation Across the TB Care Continuum

Aurum’s satellite session, co-chaired by Clinton Health Access Initiative Country Director Dr Gugulethu Ngubane Ngubane and Gaurang Tanna, Snr Programme Officer at the Gates Foundation at , explored how innovation can strengthen every stage of the TB care continuum, from early detection and diagnosis through treatment and prevention.

Dr Priashni Pundit-Subrayen, Aurum Technical Director for TB highlighted how Accelerate1 has evolved into the more targeted PROTB initiative following the US funding shutdown. Designed to sustain momentum in TB case finding, the programme combines multiple approaches, including digital chest X-rays, mobile units, household contact management and community outreach to identify people with TB earlier and closer to where they live. Through these efforts, 581 people with TB have been identified and initiated on treatment since February 2026.

Dr Anura David from the Wits Diagnostics Impact Hub shared findings on the Pluslife MiniDock, a novel molecular platform designed for swab-based TB detection, while Zweli Ngubo, Aurum Programme Manager outlined how the RADxAR-TB project is supporting the rollout and scale-up of near point-of-care molecular diagnostics across 13 countries.

Turning to treatment innovation, Don Mudzengi, Aurum Health Economist presented an overview of the PanTB study, which aligns with the World Health Organization’s Pan-TB strategy to develop simpler, shorter and more effective treatment regimens.

Closing the session, Trevor Beattie, Aurum Technical Director for Clinical Research highlighted the importance of TB preventive therapy (TPT), emphasising that expanding access to shorter, effective preventive treatment regimens remains one of the most powerful tools available to reduce TB incidence.

FPD Conferences and Special Events SA Medical Research Council National Department of Health (South Africa)

10/06/2026

How do we close the TB detection gap when too many people are still being missed across the TB care cascade?

Today at Plenary Session 3, Prof Violet Chihota , Aurum Group Chief Scientific Officer, challenged us to think differently about finding people with TB and ensuring they are linked to care earlier.

Prof Chihota highlighted the urgent need for innovative diagnostic approaches that bring testing closer to communities. Through Aurum-led initiatives such as the RADxAR-TB project, including Plus Life swab-based molecular testing using sputum and tongue swabs are helping to make TB diagnosis more accessible and patient-friendly.

She also shared insights from studies such as SWAB IMPACT and CHAPTER, which are generating evidence to support the next generation of TB diagnostics. While the diagnostics landscape continues to evolve, Prof Chihota emphasised that more tools, more options, and smarter implementation strategies are still needed.

Through the DriveDx4TB TOO project, Aurum and partners are evaluating three new diagnostic technologies to help address persistent gaps in TB detection and move us closer to finding the people who remain missed.

Braden van Breda, from AI Diagnostics highlighted the potential of AI-powered diagnostics to support community-based screening, while recognising the importance of partnerships to make these solutions affordable and scalable.

Dr Boitumelo Seepamore, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) reminded delegates that compassionate, patient-centred care remains essential to successful TB programmes. From nurses and social workers to multidisciplinary care teams, meeting patients where they are and addressing social barriers can transform outcomes. "Better patient care, leads to better outcomes. "

Closing the session, Dr. Elias Ramarumo, (PhD in Development Studies), National Department of Health (South Africa) stressed the need for sustainable domestic funding, stronger demand creation and the exploration of portable digital chest X-ray solutions to expand access to screening.

*This session was co-chaired by Aurum's Dr Mamothe Makgabo and Prof Limakatso Lebina from AHRI.

FPD Conferences and Special Events SA Medical Research Council,

09/06/2026

Day 2 at continued important conversations on strengthening TB care, advancing technology, and ensuring communities remain at the centre of the response.

During Plenary Session 1, “From Bench to Community: Diagnostic Advances to End TB,” Russell Rensburg, Director of the Rural Health Advocacy Project (RHAP), highlighted the urgent need for more inclusive TB responses, noting that mortality remains high among men and calling for approaches that better address their needs.

Aurum researchers also contributed to discussions on digital innovation and implementation in TB care.

In Session 1: Harnessing AI Across the Cascade, Tanyaradzwa Nicolette Dube, Junior Research Manager, shared early experiences from implementing the AI-powered digital treatment supporter (AIDA) in Ekurhuleni and Bojanala districts, highlighting the importance of support beyond clinic visits, including side effect monitoring and emotional support for people living with TB.

In the same session, Farzana Sathar, Scientist at the TB Think Tank, presented evidence on optimising digital chest x-ray screening for TB, emphasising the importance of integrated planning with district TB and primary healthcare teams for successful implementation.

At the Strengthening Africa's Health Technologies Advocacy Coalition (SAHTAC) session on “Investment for TB Innovation: Aligning Sustainable Financing with High-Impact TB Programme Strategies in South Africa,” Zweli Ngubo, Programme Manager, highlighted the need to consider supply chains, infrastructure, and geographic realities when introducing new diagnostics and technologies.

The day also featured several poster presentations from Aurum staff across behavioural science, vaccines, clinical trials, and health systems research, contributing evidence and insights to strengthen TB prevention, care, and resilience.

FPD Conferences and Special Events SA Medical Research Council National Department of Health (South Africa)

08/06/2026

The is officially underway!

In his keynote address for the opening plenary session, Minister of Health Dr Pakishe Aaron Motsoaledi reminded us that TB remains a leading cause of death in South Africa and called for a bolder, collective response.

"Progress is not enough if people are still dying from a disease that is preventable. The fight to end TB cannot belong only to the health sector – it must belong to all of us."

Adding to the call for collective action, Prof Mosa Moshabela, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Cape Town, emphasised that ending the TB pandemic will require greater collaboration across sectors and institutions.

"To end the TB pandemic, we need to start collaborating more and competing less."

We were also proud to see our colleagues Dr Priashni Subrayen, Technical Director: TB, and Dr Mamothe Makgabo, Senior Technical Specialist take the stage, serving as Chairs for Track 3, helping to facilitate discussions and knowledge-sharing that will shape the future of TB prevention, diagnosis and care.



FPD Conferences and Special Events National Department of Health (South Africa)

08/06/2026

Sat Session Alert!

Ending TB requires innovation across the entire TB care continuum ─ from early detection and rapid diagnosis to effective treatment and prevention.

Join us at for a satellite session hosted by Aurum, “Innovating the TB Care Continuum: From Early Detection to Treatment,” where experts and partners will unpack emerging tools, evidence, and strategies shaping the future of TB care and closing gaps in access and implementation.

Co-chaired by Dr Gugulethu Ngubane (Clinton Health Access Initiative Inc.) and Dr Gaurang Tanna (Gates Foundation), featuring speakers from Wits Diagnostic Innovation Hub and Aurum.

FPD Conferences and Special Events SA Medical Research Council

06/06/2026

The national launch of Lenacapavir rollout reflected both how far South Africa’s HIV response has come and the work still ahead to ensure prevention reaches everyone who needs it.

At the launch, President Cyril Ramaphosa described lenacapavir as “a practical intervention that can transform lives”, while reaffirming that access to life-saving innovation must remain a priority.

Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi also highlighted ongoing efforts towards local manufacturing and future generic access, reinforcing the importance of affordability, sustainability, and equitable delivery in the HIV response.

The launch reinforced the value of collaboration across science, public health, communities, and implementation partners in shaping the next chapter of HIV prevention in South Africa.

We look forward to continuing the work alongside partners, communities, and the health sector as rollout begins across the country.

National Department of Health (South Africa) The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa Aurum POP INN

05/06/2026

Lenacapavir has officially arrived in South Africa, marking a new chapter for HIV prevention.

Long-acting prevention has the potential to expand choice and support people in ways that better fit their daily realities.

But access will be key.

As conversations shift from approval to rollout, the focus now is ensuring this reaches communities in ways that are practical, equitable, and people-centred.

We’ve supported the journey from evidence generation to policy and now into implementation.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4uscu4U

The six-monthly anti-HIV jab, which prevents HIV through s*x, is now stocked for free at 360 government clinics in six of South Africa’s provinces. So how does the jab work, how do you know if you need it, and where can you find it? We’ve got you covered with answers to 13 questions.

04/06/2026

North West Department of Health officials responsible for HIV Prevention today met to provide an overview of Lenacapavir rollout plans, discuss roles, responsibilities and ensure coordinated implementation across all relevant stakeholders in the province.

Lenacapavir is a groundbreaking twice-yearly injectable medication (PrEP) that is nearly 100% effective at preventing HIV and is administered as just two subcutaneous shots a year.

The Department is planning to implement the Lenacapavir rollout as part of strengthening HIV prevention and treatment interventions within the province.

In the Northwest Province, Lenacapavir will be implemented in a "phased in" approach in 31 PILOT facilities ONLY for now.

The national launch is scheduled to take place in Mpumalanga and will be officiated by the The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa on 05 June 2026.

Officials have met to finalise preparations to ensure readiness for the rollout in SELECTED facilities.