Kenya has achieved a milestone in sustained fight against tuberculosis (TB) and other pervasive lung diseases. The Ministry of Health, in close collaboration with partners and county governments, officially flagged off 80 ultra-portable, AI-enabled digital chest X-ray machines and simultaneously launched the comprehensive Integrated TB and Lung Health Management Guidelines. This event signifies far more than a mere technological upgrade; it represents a game-changing shift in the national approach to lung health, designed to achieve health equity, ensure early detection, and deliver community-driven healthcare across all 47 counties.
CHS Kenya: A Proven Track Record in Lung Health
The Centre for Health Solutions – Kenya (CHS Kenya) is immensely proud to have been a vital part of this transformative journey since 2021, demonstrating the practical utility and profound impact of these digital health innovations. As Dr. Paul Wekesa, CEO of CHS Kenya, highlighted, our work has already yielded tangible results: “In just one year, we screened over 50,000 people and diagnosed over 2,000 TB cases using these digital machines. Today’s launch marks another crucial step in transforming healthcare access for all.” CHS Kenya’s contribution underscores a steadfast commitment to supporting the Ministry of Health and county governments in the effective deployment and utilization of these cutting-edge technologies, ensuring that life-saving services reach even the most remote communities.
A Unified National Commitment
The flag-off ceremony brought together key national and international stakeholders, all emphasizing a unified commitment to prioritizing lung health and achieving the global goal of ending TB.
CS Health, Hon. Aden Duale, stressed the visionary nature of the initiative: “We are taking two bold steps: launching AI-enabled digital X-rays and integrating TB and lung health services… Lung health has been in the shadows for too long. This launch is a declaration of a people-centered, future-looking health system. Technology must reach the grassroots. Kenya is not just keeping up—we are leading globally.”
This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Patrick Amoth, Director General of the Ministry of Health, who connected the initiative to core social issues: “TB is as old as humanity, and its link to poverty and marginalization is well documented. This initiative helps bridge that gap… Community systems are the bedrock of our services, let us continue to de-stigmatize TB and bring healthcare closer to the people.”
The critical role of community engagement was championed by Philip Nyakwana, a Community Representative, who stated, “As we introduce this equipment, we must ensure communities are well-briefed and fully engaged to ensure acceptance and uptake. The community must be at the center of every health decision.”
Partners praised Kenya’s leadership in adopting technology. Gerald Machariah, CHAI Manager, noted, “Kenya is among the global pioneers in embracing innovations like AI-enabled X-rays. Our goal is to go beyond TB and address a wide range of lung diseases. Over the next three years, we will invest over KSh 1 billion to scale up this initiative.” Similarly, Dr. Onyenze Adiele, WHO Representative, affirmed, “We must focus on three priorities: close the TB detection gap using AI, protect people from financial hardship, and learn from other countries’ experiences. Kenya is proving its commitment to ending TB, we will measure success by lives saved and families supported.”
Finally, the initiative was hailed as a significant boost for Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Dr. James Nyikal, Chair of the Parliamentary Health Committee, concluded, “Prevention is always better and cheaper than cure. Early detection of TB, lung cancer, and other respiratory diseases is now within reach. This is a major leap toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).”
The Power of Integration and Technology
The introduction of these AI-enabled digital X-rays represents a critical technological leap, drastically improving the speed and accuracy of diagnosis. Their ultra-portable nature allows them to be deployed directly into communities, mobile clinics, and primary care settings, fundamentally decentralizing diagnostic services that were previously confined to major hospitals. Simultaneously, the Integrated TB and Lung Health Management Guidelines standardize care, ensuring that every patient receives the same high-quality, evidence-based treatment regardless of their geographical location. By integrating these two powerful components, Kenya is accelerating its progress toward a healthier, stronger, and more resilient future.
