Economic Impact of Molecular Diagnostics for HIV, TB, and COVID-19

This technical report outlines the economic and health benefits of molecular diagnostic testing for HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and COVID-19 in South Africa over a decade from 2013 to 2022. It presents significant findings, including an economic value gain of $6.4 billion and the averted loss of 1 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) due to TB testing with the GeneXpert system. The report details the return on investment (ROI) associated with these health gains, indicating a 13.9x ROI through earlier diagnosis and treatment of TB. Additionally, it highlights the broader impacts of molecular testing for HIV and SARS-CoV-2, reporting 1.5 million and 1.2 thousand DALYs averted, respectively. The document emphasizes the importance of these diagnostic tools in improving health outcomes and reducing economic burdens on healthcare systems, while also noting the achievement of WHO pre-qualification standards by the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra test in 2024.