Govt rolls out free AI assisted TB screening tests nationwide ,aims to break chain of transmission

By Nigel Pfunde

HARARE —  Ministry of Health and Child Care in collaboration with Union Zimbabwe Trust (UZT) has launched a massive nationwide outreach program offering free tuberculosis (TB) screening, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostic software to detect the disease within minutes.

Health experts emphasize that rapid, widespread testing is critical to curbing the epidemic.

Early screening allows patients to access timely medical treatment before the disease advances, effectively breaking the chain of transmission within communities.

Public health officials reiterate that TB is fully curable if diagnosed and treated early.

According to UZT ‘post mortem” of the ongoing campaign (thus far) posted on one of its social media platforms, the response of nationwide campaign has been overwhelming, with teams already deploying to medical centers including Karanda Mission Hospital,Mt  Darwin Hospital and Gwanda Hospital.

​”At Karanda, we met clients from different parts of the country – Rusape, Guruve, Harare, Kwekwe while some were from neighbouring communities,” UZT stated in a social media update detailing the outreach.

“One thing was common. They all wanted to get screened for TB.”
​The trust took note of a highly encouraging trend in public health awareness among those seeking testing.
​”We were impressed with the level of knowledge exhibited on why they fall into the TB high risk group bracket – workplace exposure, previous contact with TB patient, living with HIV, miner, ex-miner etc,” UZT said.
​By utilizing AI software, frontline health workers can bypass lengthy laboratory wait times, cutting down diagnosis to a matter of minutes. This immediacy is vital for immediate isolation and treatment initiation, ensuring infected individuals stop spreading the airborne bacteria to others.

​Among those diagnosed during the outreach was 27-year old Promise Mukombozi , of Dahwa Village near Karanda Mission Hospital.
Mukombozi tested positive for Silico-TB which is a concurrent infection of both TB and silicosis, a lung disease common among miners exposed to silica dust.

​Despite the difficult diagnosis, Mukombozi expressed relief and peace of mind that comes with knowing the disease can now be managed and cured.

​”I can’t say I am happy, but I am relieved that I have been diagnosed, now I can be treated for TB,” Mukombozi said.