Nairobi: Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has flagged off 80 ultra-portable AI-powered digital X-rays and launched Kenya’s Integrated Lung Health Guidelines. The digital X-ray systems are equipped with Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) software, marking a significant milestone in Kenya’s fight against Tuberculosis (TB) and other lung diseases. This initiative aims to enhance diagnosis, screening, and early treatment of TB and chronic respiratory illnesses affecting Kenyans.
According to Kenya News Agency, during the flagging-off ceremony at Kenya Medical Supply’s Authority (KEMSA) Embakasi Grounds in Nairobi, the CS emphasized the government’s commitment to building a proactive, people-centered, and future-ready health system. He noted the silent devastation caused by diseases such as asthma and post-TB complications, which impact health, dignity, productivity, and hope among citizens.
The ultra-portable X-ray units, powered by CAD software, utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) to expedite the interpretatio
n of chest images, enabling early detection of TB and other lung conditions. This advancement is expected to reduce missed cases and detection delays, while improving access to quality care for underserved communities and primary healthcare levels, Duale stated.
The CS highlighted Kenya’s progress in surpassing key 2020 WHO End TB milestones and being on track for 2025. “We have achieved a 41 percent reduction in TB incidences and a 65 percent drop in TB mortality. These gains reflect strategic investments in early detection, evidence-based treatment plans, and HIV-TB integration,” he added.
Duale expressed gratitude to development partners for their pivotal support, stating, “Your impact is tangible in the health security of the country.” He also urged county leadership and governors to prioritize TB and lung health investment, emphasizing that true health security begins in primary health care facilities funded through county budgets.
Khatra Ali, the Director of Health at the Council of Governors in KEMS
A, praised Kenya’s leadership in adopting digital innovations to strengthen health systems and improve equity in diagnostic services access. “We can ensure that every county benefits from the innovation and that no Kenyan in need is left behind for accessing timely TB and lung health services,” she said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and AMREF, through their representatives, offered to guide healthcare providers on managing a broad range of respiratory diseases, aligning with Kenya’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals. TB remains one of Kenya’s deadliest public health threats, with 96,865 drug-sensitive TB cases and 750 drug-resistant cases recorded in 2024, representing a significant national burden.
At the same time, the CS expressed concern over the ongoing industrial action by members of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) in Kiambu County, citing a significant spike in maternal mortality rates in the area. Duale attributed the prolonged doctors’ strike to poor leadership
, urging Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi to take decisive action and demonstrate effective leadership to resolve the crisis.