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Five years ago, when Fred Ebil, a technical school teacher from the Lira region, began treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis, he endured significant psychological distress due to being advised to isolate himself from others, as his illness was extremely contagious.

“I was taking a large number of medications every day. As if that wasn’t enough, people began treating me as an outcast, which psychologically tormented me. They had been warned not to approach me, or else they would become infected,” he says.

Nevertheless, Ebil mentions that he used to anticipate a visit from a health worker, as that was the sole occasion when he felt motivated by another person.

“The healthcare professionals would advise and motivate me to take the medication. The mental pressure would lessen when they arrived,” he adds.

Following his recovery from the illness, Ebil mentions that individuals still continued to isolate and discriminate against him. In this context, he established the Fellowship of TB Survivors, a non-governmental organization aimed at providing guidance and mental health support to tuberculosis patients, ensuring they do not experience the psychological challenges he encountered.

Ebil’s story highlights the importance of maintaining a human connection between medical professionals and patients, even as the healthcare sector increasingly incorporates digital technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, in the management and prevention of tuberculosis.

Stories of individuals in Ebil’s situation and their medical professionals will serve as the foundation for conversations at the upcoming World Conference on Lung Health, taking place from November 18 to 21 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Among the subjects to be examined will be the genuine opportunities and obstacles that AI presents in the battle against tuberculosis — ranging from revolutionizing diagnosis to altering the process of drug development.

Among the presenters will be Keymanthri Moodley of Stellenbosch University in South Africa, Professor Justin Denholm from Australia, Dr. Karuna Devi Sagili from the Netherlands, and others.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Tuberculosis Treatment

Uganda faces a significant tuberculosis problem and ranks among the top 30 most affected countries. As per the Ministry of Health, the illness resulted in 41,000 deaths in 2023, with 94,100 new cases reported. Data further shows that at least 30 individuals in Uganda pass away daily from TB.

At present, initiatives are being implemented to eradicate the disease within the country by 2030. One approach that has been highlighted in addressing this issue is the swift integration of AI in both treatment and prevention strategies.

For instance, numerous public health centers are discarding the outdated, slow, and costly technology in favor of digital X-ray systems, which efficiently detect tuberculosis within communities.

Compact and AI-driven devices are more cost-effective, provide excellent image quality, emit minimal radiation, offer automatic analysis, and can be conveniently transported to isolated areas, making them efficient for identifying and managing the spread of TB.

Due to their efficiency, both the Government and donor groups are implementing them in health centers throughout the nation.

On May 13, Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng was presented with 48 digital X-ray machines worth sh18b by US Ambassador William Popp. The minister stated that these devices would play a crucial role in Uganda’s effort to eradicate TB by 2030.

“We have received 48 X-ray machines, 33 TB-LAMP units, and 33 tricycles from the US Government to improve Uganda’s tuberculosis response. The innovative ‘Mobile X-LAMP’ (portable digital X-ray + CAD & TB-LAMP) will transform community screening. We appreciate the support from the US Government,” she stated.

Application of AI in managing and reducing TB cases across Africa

Uganda is not the only country utilizing AI to combat tuberculosis. In the Central African Republic, specialists have developed an AI-driven high-resolution predictive model that tracks the spread of TB, enabling targeted actions to be taken.

Launched early this month, the initiative was a joint effort between The Union, the National Tuberculosis Programme of the Central African Republic, and Epcon, a company that employs AI to assess health risks in particular areas and population groups.

Dr. Kobto Ghislain Koura, the main author of the research and head of the TB Division at The Union, stated: “For too long, populations have endured due to our reactive approach to TB instead of predicting it. Artificial intelligence enables us to move from passive monitoring to active measures.”

As per a declaration from the Union, this method has the potential to be expanded and implemented in other areas with limited resources, particularly in developing nations.

“This instrument holds the capability to transform how we handle TB monitoring in nations where the illness is most common. It enables us to look beyond what is apparent and identify where the disease might be spreading unnoticed,” said Dr. Koura.

As per the statement, the team developed a digital map of the city, segmented into 100 by 100 metre grids. They taught the AI model to estimate TB positivity rates in each region by utilizing open-source data, including population density, availability of clean water, and proximity to TB clinics.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).