By Ojoma Akor
The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S CDC) has donated portable x-ray machines enabled with artificial intelligence (AI) to Nigeria to strengthen screening for tuberculosis among people living with HIV in the country.
Dr. Flora Nwagagbo, Senior Program Specialist, U.S. CDC Nigeria, disclosed this Wednesday in Abuja during a media round table organized by the organization. It was themed, “Expanding the use of portable X-ray machines to improve tuberculosis diagnosis among PLHIV in Nigeria.”
She said portable X-ray machines with AI help improve screening for TB, adding that the use of AI makes the machines faster and more sensitive than traditionally used chest x-rays in detecting abnormalities, and also reduces time to accurate identification of TB and diagnosis.
She highlighted that it allowed people to start treatment sooner and improved health outcomes.
She said the use of portable machines also maximizes the reach of screening activities without needing additional equipment or trained specialists.
She said, “It removes barriers to conducting screening in hard-to-reach areas by allowing for on-site interpretation of images, reducing the need for specialized radiologists, and minimizing patient transportation to facilities, which can be very expensive in hard-to-reach areas.”
The expert explained that in Nigeria, of the 467,000 new TB cases reported in 2023, approximately 140,000 were among people living with HIV.
She said the dual epidemic of TB and HIV presents significant challenges for diagnosis and treatment, as the symptoms of TB could often be obscured by HIV-related illnesses, leading to delays in diagnosis, severe illness, and death.
Dr Nwagagbo said the U.S. CDC supports the government of Nigeria to address TB, especially among people living with HIV, through funding from the U.S President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR.
She further said that assistance from the U.S. CDC helps save lives, reduce the spread of TB within families, communities, and across borders and ensure resources are used efficiently and effectively.
She added that the U.S. CDC among others provides training program for personnel and health providers on TB screening for adults and children who are seen at facilities or in the community; provides technical and financial assistance to deliver high-quality TB diagnostic, prevention services, and linkage to treatment centers and provides free TB preventive treatment to people living with HIV among others.
Dr Jerry Gwamna, deputy director for programmes, U.S CDC Nigeria explained that the U.S CDC works in other countries besides the United States of America because “disease anywhere is disease everywhere especially these days of pandemics and epidemics that move across the globe, and don’t respect boundaries.”
He said the organization supports the government of Nigeria, in its response to different diseases including emerging threats. He said the U.S CDC has four active divisions working in Nigeria, including the Division of Global HIV and TB, Global Immunization Division, and Division of Global Health Protection.
Dr Emperor Ubochioma, team lead program management unit, National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) who was represented by Dr. Shadrach Dimang lauded the US CDC for its support for the government of Nigeria especially in the area of TB control.
He also applauded the media, adding that the myths and misinformation around TB and HIV have been a great hindrance towards achieving the success but that achievements were being recorded now due to awareness being created by the media.
