Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has flagged off 80 ultra-portable AI-powered digital X-rays and also launched Kenya’s Integrated Lung Health Guidelines.
The digital X-ray systems are equipped with Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) software, a major stride in Kenya’s fight against Tuberculosis (TB) and other lung diseases.
This marks a significant milestone that will bring closer the diagnosis, screening, and initiation of early treatment of TB and other chronic respiratory illnesses afflicting Kenyans.
During the flagging-off ceremony at Kenya Medical Supply’s Authority (KEMSA) Embakasi Grounds in Nairobi, the CS said that the government is committed to building a health system that is proactive, people-centered, and future-ready.
He noted that the threat of diseases such as asthma and other related diseases and post-TB complications are silently devastating lives among community members, and this robs the country not only of health, but also of the dignity and productivity and hope of the citizens.
The ultra-portable X-ray units, powered by CAD software, use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to speed up interpretation of chest images, enabling early detection of TB and other lung conditions, and will reduce missed cases and delayed detection, while boosting access to quality care to underserved communities and primary healthcare levels, Duale said.
The CS confirmed that Kenya has already surpassed key 2020 WHO End TB milestones and is 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 thanked development partners for their support, which he termed pivotal, saying, “Your impact is tangible in the health security of the country.”
Furthermore, the CS called on county leadership and governors to prioritize TB and lung health investment, saying that the national government will continue to lead, but true health security begins in primary health care facilities funded through county budgets and felt in homes and communities.
Khatra Ali, the Director of Health at the Council of Governors in KEMSA, lauded Kenya’s leadership in adopting digital innovations to strengthen health systems and improve equity in access to diagnostic services.
“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 the management of 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. In 2024, the country recorded 96,865 drug-sensitive TB cases, representing 77 per cent of the national burden, alongside 750 drug-resistant cases.
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 a decisive action and demonstrate effective leadership to resolve the crisis.
By Fanne Nyamwamu and Daisy Gitari
