FROM 72 DAYS TO JUST HOURS: FASTER TB DIAGNOSIS SAVES LIVES
03-11-2026
“When I had TB, waiting for my sputum test results was one of the most difficult parts of my journey. In the past, getting a result could take up to 72 days, and some samples had to be sent outside Tajikistan. Living with uncertainty while waiting for answers was stressful.
Today, I am encouraged to see how much TB diagnosis has improved. Healthcare workers can even come to your home to collect sputum samples, and test results can now be available within just 1–3 hours.
What I want to say is: don't refuse or postpone TB testing when it is recommended. Delaying testing can delay diagnosis and treatment, putting your own health and the health of those around you at risk. This is a sin.”
Today, TB diagnosis in Tajikistan is much faster and more accessible than it was in the past. Modern diagnostic equipment and technologies are available in health facilities closer to communities, and many TB test results can now be available within hours rather than days or weeks.
Have TB symptoms, been in close contact with someone diagnosed with TB, or been advised by a healthcare worker to provide a sputum sample? Don't delay—get tested!
Learn how to collect sputum correctly for TB testing: