The TB mobile clinic, introduced in the country last month, has made detecting tuberculosis easier. The van, equipped with modern technology including Artificial Intelligence has screened more than 400 individuals in Thimphu and Samtse so far. Among them, 80 were screened today, observing World Tuberculosis Day at the Royal Thimphu College in Thimphu.
The theme of this year’s World TB Day is “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver,” reminding that the disease is curable.
The mobile van has not only made it easier for the public to test for tuberculosis infection without the need to visit hospitals but it has also eased screening for the health officials.
“The TB Mobile Clinic is equipped with modern technologies. Starting from X-rays is done using a digitalised system. Additionally, the van is equipped with artificial intelligence to check for infections in the lungs without the need of a radiologist,” said Phurpa Tenzin, the Senior Programme Officer with the Ministry of Health.
The van enables rapid detection and confirmation of TB cases. It is equipped with a Digital X-ray system powered by AI which automatically reads a chest X-ray for infections and a GeneXpert system to confirm tuberculosis infection on a collected sputum sample.
Phurpa Tenzin said, “If the AI reading is above 0.4, it indicates an abnormality in the lungs. So, we collect the sputum samples of the clients and examine them in the GeneXpert system. The client is referred for further medical treatment if we diagnose the test as positive.”
Additional features of the TB mobile clinic include a bio-safety system for sample processing and an ultraviolet system for infection control.
The van will enhance detection, contact tracing, and TB screening among high-risk and vulnerable populations.
The vehicle, costing more than three hundred thousand US dollars, was procured through the United Nations Development Programme with funding from The Global Fund under the COVID-19 Response Mechanism grant.
Kelzang Chhophyel
Edited by Phub Gyem
