Kenya rolls out AI-powered chest x-rays to boost early TB detection
AI-driven chest imaging employs advanced algorithms to scan digital X-rays and identify abnormalities such as TB, pneumonia, lung nodules and fractures.
Kenya is taking a major step in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) with the introduction of AI-powered chest X-rays, a development aimed at making early detection more accessible, especially in remote and underserved areas.
The technology was showcased during a workshop in Nakuru organised by the Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV and AIDS (KELIN) as part of the Unitaid-supported COMBAT DR-TB initiative.
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AI-driven chest imaging employs advanced algorithms to scan digital X-rays and identify abnormalities such as TB, pneumonia, lung nodules and fractures.
Within seconds of capturing an image, the system highlights suspicious areas using heatmaps and calculates likelihood scores to assist radiologists.
This approach helps healthcare providers prioritise critical cases, reduce diagnostic delays, and improve the accuracy of results, particularly in busy or resource-limited health facilities.
The Nakuru workshop brought together government officials, civil society representatives, community health champions and TB advocates to review progress in managing drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) and discuss strategies for expanding access to the technology nationwide.
Experts attending the forum expressed confidence that AI-powered X-rays would allow faster detection and treatment, ultimately improving patient outcomes and saving lives.
The Kenya National TB Programme confirmed that county-level health workers are already being trained on the new system, with plans for a nationwide rollout later this month.
Authorities hailed the move as a potential breakthrough for reaching populations in hard-to-access regions, where early diagnosis has traditionally been challenging.
KELIN also highlighted Kenya’s ongoing investment in TB diagnostics, noting the nationwide deployment of GeneXpert machines and the addition of 20 GeneXpert XDR units capable of identifying resistance beyond multi-drug resistant TB and rifampicin resistance.
Stakeholders said this expansion strengthens the ability to provide personalised treatment based on specific resistance patterns.
Efforts to combat DR-TB align with the Universal Health Coverage agenda and are supported by community health structures designed to serve even the most marginalised groups.
Despite the promising technological advances, experts stressed that sustained investment and community engagement remain critical to achieving long-term success in the fight against TB.
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