The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has deployed advanced AI-enabled portable X-ray machines to enhance Nigeria’s tuberculosis detection capabilities. The initiative was announced during a media briefing in Abuja by Dr. Flora Nwagagbo, CDC Nigeria’s Senior Programme Specialist for TB and HIV.
Nigeria faces significant TB challenges, with 467,000 new cases and 71,000 deaths reported in 2023. The situation is particularly acute among people living with HIV, where TB co-infection rates reach 4.9% and account for the leading cause of mortality in this vulnerable group.
The new portable digital X-ray (PDX) units utilize artificial intelligence to provide faster, more accurate diagnoses compared to traditional methods. Their compact design enables deployment in remote areas, eliminating the need for patients to travel long distances for testing. The technology also reduces dependence on specialist radiologists, as the AI system can assist with preliminary analysis.
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“These machines represent a game-changer for early TB detection,” Dr. Nwagagbo stated. The CDC’s comprehensive support package includes equipment, training for healthcare workers, and system strengthening to ensure effective integration into Nigeria’s public health infrastructure.
The National Tuberculosis Control Programme has welcomed the intervention, with officials predicting significant improvements in case detection rates. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to achieve Nigeria’s goal of ending TB as a public health threat by 2030.
