FG Deploys AI, Expands Testing For Tuberculosis

As Nigeria joins the global community to mark the 2025 World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, the federal government has unveiled a series of high-impact interventions aimed at strengthening TB detection and treatment across the country.

Key among these initiatives is the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled digital X-ray technology and a significant expansion of rapid molecular testing platforms.

The coordinating minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, emphasised the government’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve TB case detection, particularly among key and vulnerable populations.

The minister, who stated this at a press briefing yesterday in Abuja, explained that “In our effort to enhance TB screening and diagnosis, we have prioritised the use of mobile digital X-ray units equipped with artificial intelligence.

“These units, operated by trained radiographers, have significantly improved the sensitivity of TB screening, allowing us to detect more cases, including asymptomatic TB that might have otherwise been missed.”
Currently, around 400 AI-powered mobile digital X-ray platforms are deployed across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This, the minister said is expected to bridge critical gaps in TB diagnosis, ensuring that more Nigerians, especially those in remote and underserved areas, can access timely and accurate testing.

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Pate who was represented by the director, Port Health Services at the ministry, Dr Nse Akpan, also said that the federal government has scaled up rapid molecular testing for TB. “The number of GeneXpert machines, used for quick and efficient TB diagnosis has increased from 32 in 2012 to 513 in 2024. Similarly, Truenat machines have grown from 39 in 2022 to 372 in 2024, while TB LAMP equipment expanded from 52 in 2022 to 275 in 2024.

“These investments have enabled us to expand TB treatment services, increasing the number of Directly Observed Therapy, Short-course (DOTS) centers from 12,606 in 2019 to approximately 23,000 in 2024, covering about 57 per cent of all health facilities in Nigeria,” Pate noted.

However, according to the 2024 World Health Organisation (WHO) Global TB Report, Nigeria accounted for approximately 4.6 per cent of the 10.8 million TB cases recorded globally in 2023. Furthermore, about 71,000 Nigerians died from the disease last year, with many cases going undiagnosed due to limited access to testing facilities.

The country still faces significant challenges, including a funding shortfall worsened by the recent U.S. policy halting USAID funding for TB programmes, which previously contributed to detecting nearly 50 per cent of cases in the country. Other hurdles include occasional stockouts of essential TB testing materials and medications, as well as gaps in childhood TB case notifications.

Addressing these challenges, Pate reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding diagnostic and treatment services across public and private health facilities. “We are leveraging innovative approaches, including community-based TB screening, AI-driven diagnostics, and increased engagement with the private sector to close existing gaps,” he said.

With the theme “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver” and the slogan “We Fit Do Am,” this year’s World TB Day underscores the need for sustained investment, community involvement, and technological innovation to achieve Nigeria’s goal of ending TB by 2030.

Prof. Pate urged Nigerians to take advantage of free TB testing and treatment services available at designated health centres, emphasising that early diagnosis remains key to controlling the spread of the disease.