US DONATES 32 AI-POWERED X-RAY MACHINES TO BOOST TUBERCULOSIS DETECTION IN NIGERIA
Read Time:3 Minute, 12 Second
By: Muftau Fatimo
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) has donated 32 AI-powered X-ray machines to Nigeria to improve early detection of tuberculosis (TB) in people living with HIV (PLWHIV). The initiative is part of efforts to reduce the disease burden in the country.
According to the US CDC, each machine, valued at about $100,000, can interpret up to 400 X-rays daily.
During a media roundtable in Abuja on Wednesday, the Deputy Director for Programs at U.S. CDC Nigeria, Dr. Jerry Gwamna, emphasized that to effectively combat public health threats, the agency must operate beyond U.S. borders. He noted that in today’s world, pandemics and epidemics transcend boundaries, making “disease anywhere a disease everywhere.”
“That is why the CDC is here, doing so much to support the Nigerian government in addressing various disease burdens and emerging health threats,” he said.
In her presentation, the Senior Program Specialist, US CDC Nigeria, Dr. Flora Nwagagbo noted that Tuberculosis (TB) was the top infectious disease killer worldwide, and Nigeria has one of the highest burdens of TB in the world.
Nwagagbo disclosed that Nigeria reported 467,000 new tuberculosis cases and 71,000 deaths in 2023. Also, 4.9 percent of people living with HIV have TB.
According to her, TB is the leading cause of death among people living with HIV, and the presence of HIV increases the risk of developing active TB due to a weakened immune system.
“The dual epidemic of TB and HIV presents significant challenges for diagnosis and treatment, as the symptoms of TB can often be obscured by HIV-related illnesses, leading to delays in diagnosis and increased illness and death.
“In 2023, out of an estimated 10.8 million cases globally, 2.6 million people were not diagnosed and treated for TB.
662,000 (6.1%) of the estimated cases were among people living with HIV.
In Nigeria, of the 467,000 new TB cases reported in 2023, approximately 140,000 were among people living with HIV”, she said.
The public health expert noted that the Nigerian government has demonstrated strong commitment to tackling the challenges posed by TB and HIV epidemics. In response, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC), through funding from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), is supporting efforts to combat TB, particularly among people living with HIV.
“U.S. CDC’s support helps save lives, curb the spread of TB within families, communities, and even across borders, while ensuring efficient and effective use of resources,” she said.
Nwagagbo further revealed that the agency is also assisting Nigeria in deploying portable X-ray (PDX) machines powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance TB screening for people living with HIV.
She further stated that the machines were an effective tool for screening for TB, even when people do not show symptoms, adding that fifty percent (50%) of people with TB do not have symptoms.
She also said, “the use of AI makes the machines faster and more sensitive than traditionally used chest x-rays in detecting abnormalities. It reduces time to accurate identification of TB and diagnose, allowing people to start treatment sooner and improving health outcomes”.
Responding on behalf of the Nigerian Government, Team Lead, Program Management Unit, National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Program (NTBLCP), Dr. Emperor Ubochioma expressed appreciation to the United States Government for the donation:
“The introduction of PDX is truly a game changer, and we commend the U.S. government for leading the way in Nigeria,” he said. “With this technology, the device reaches the patient rather than the patient going to the device, and this has enabled us to diagnose numerous cases.”
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0