FIND India

FIND’s portfolio in India has expanded significantly in recent years. Although initially we focused on TB diagnostics, today our work encompasses research and development, the evaluation of potential new diagnostics, and improving access to care for patients. We are working on a wide array of technical and community-level interventions, as well as continuing our strong focus on TB.

We work in partnership with both the public and private sectors as well as the Government of India with the aim of helping to build a resilient and sustainable health system and assist the government in achieving the national public health goals.

Elimination of tuberculosis

India has the world’s highest burden of tuberculosis (TB). FIND has been working closely with the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) to advance diagnostic innovations and expand access to high-quality testing.  

FIND’s strategy centres on leveraging cutting-edge molecular diagnostics, strengthening both public and private healthcare systems, and improving access to TB preventive treatment for vulnerable populations. 

We focus on ensuring that private healthcare providers have access to diagnostic tools like CBNAAT and Truenat. We are also tackling drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) through expanding drug-susceptibility testing (DST).

Antimicrobial Resistance

The rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global health. Just-in-case’ antibiotic prescribing practices is one of the main causes of AMR and inadequate management of acute febrile illnesses, both resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. At the same time, many who would require antibiotic treatment do not get it.  

FIND seeks to ensure that patients receive appropriate treatment based on accurate diagnostics. FIND is working with partners and donors to investigate the impact of a package of diagnostic tools, innovative clinical algorithms, and training and communication activities on outpatient acute fever case management.  

In one project, FIND established and managed an AMR Diagnostics Use Accelerator. Through studies conducted in public health facilities across 4 sites in India, we assessed the rates of change in antibiotic prescription, patient outcomes, adherence to the new algorithm by healthcare workers, adherence to prescription by patients/caregivers, and adverse events in participants.

Health System Strengthening

By focusing on laboratory system upgrades, capacity building, and digital health solutions, FIND is working to ensure that the healthcare infrastructure in India is resilient, responsive, and capable of handling both infectious and non-communicable diseases.

In collaboration with state and national governments, FIND has enhanced diagnostic services by upgrading lab infrastructure, particularly in underserved areas, and introducing airborne infection control (AIC) measures in health facilities such as germicidal ultraviolet (UVGI) systems alongside training for more than 700 staff on AIC protocols.

We are also empowering healthcare workers by offering specialized training programs to boost local capacity in diagnostic services. For example, the Bihar Laboratory System Strengthening (BLSS) project established tiered laboratory networks that significantly increased diagnostic capacity across district-level facilities, especially in rural and underserved regions.

Women’s Health and Empowerment

FIND is committed to advancing women’s health by addressing critical gaps in access to diagnostics for diseases that disproportionately affect women. FIND ensures that women, especially those in underserved and rural communities, have access to early detection and treatment services.

We also focus on empowering women in healthcare, engaging them as community health champions and advocates for better healthcare outcomes. In India, FIND has been working towards driving policy-based advocacy around more sensitive screening strategies to help accelerate screening and diagnosis of cervical cancer in the country.

In addition, FIND works to address broader social and cultural barriers that prevent women from accessing healthcare. By promoting awareness, education, and policy advocacy, FIND is driving systemic changes that improve the overall health and well-being of women in India.

FIND uses a number of tools to support countries and advance diagnosis for all, including:

Public-private partnerships

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) play a vital role in expanding the reach of diagnostic services in India by integrating private healthcare providers into national health programs. FIND’s work in this area aims to bridge gaps in access to diagnostics, particularly for tuberculosis (TB), by collaborating with private practitioners, diagnostic centres, and healthcare providers.

Our aim is to ensure that patients – particularly those who seek care in the private sector – have access to timely diagnosis and treatment. Under the JEET (Joint Effort for the Elimination of Tuberculosis) initiative, which ran from 2018 to 2024, for example, nearly 130 districts across 6 states in India were mobilized to provide comprehensive TB care.

Community engagement

FIND places a strong emphasis on community engagement, recognizing that healthcare outcomes improve significantly when local communities are empowered to take an active role in disease prevention and care.

For example, the Unite to Act project has empowered TB survivors and volunteers in communities to lead TB awareness and prevention efforts. These community leaders act as champions for TB care, providing crucial support in underserved regions to improve early diagnosis and patient adherence to treatment.

Local Manufacturing and Capacity Building

FIND is playing a critical role in strengthening local manufacturing and building capacity in India’s diagnostic landscape. By promoting local manufacturing, FIND is reducing costs, increasing accessibility, and improving the resilience of India’s healthcare system.

For example, FIND, in collaboration with the National TB Institute (NTI), has localized the production of EQA panels for molecular testing platforms like CBNAAT and Truenat. This initiative has made it possible to manufacture EQA panels within India, significantly reducing reliance on international suppliers and improving the availability of quality-assured diagnostics.

This has not only enabled faster access to diagnostics but also created a sustainable supply chain to support India’s national health goals. Through capacity-building initiatives, FIND is also training local experts to manage and maintain diagnostic tools.