Shuklaphanta Municipality Conducts Free Tuberculosis Screening Using AI-Powered Portable X-Ray Machine

Kanchanpur. Free tuberculosis screening has been conducted using an AI-powered portable X-ray machine in Shuklaphanta Municipality. The camp was operated in wards no. 1, 5, and 8, which are at high risk, with the objective of identifying TB patients hidden in the community through the use of modern technology and bringing them for timely treatment. According to the head of the municipality's health branch, Parmanand Bhatta, camps were operated at Pitambar Health Post in ward no. 8, Basic Health Center Van Samiti in ward no. 5, and Urban Health Center Bansah in ward no. 1. He stated that a team including doctors conducted the TB screening using an AI-enabled portable X-ray machine. A total of 688 people were tested for TB through the camp. 42 individuals who showed suspicious results during the test have been sent to Mahakali Provincial Hospital for further testing using 'GeneXpert'. According to branch chief Bhatta, AI technology can immediately identify even subtle bacteria that are not easily visible in a normal X-ray by analyzing the X-ray. "The digital computer system analyzes the X-ray and identifies potential TB patients," he said, "This helps in identifying at-risk patients even before sputum testing." According to him, the technology-friendly camp has played an important role in providing health services easily to citizens in remote areas. The AI portable X-ray machine along with doctors was provided by Mahakali Provincial Hospital for the operation of the camp. The Government of Nepal has set a goal to end the problem of tuberculosis by 2035 and make Nepal TB-free by 2050. Health officer Padam Mahara said that the use of AI technology is proving effective in achieving that goal. "AI technology has been useful in identifying TB patients in a short time through the analysis of chest X-rays," he said, "Camps can be operated even in remote villages using portable X-ray machines and AI software, so we aim to expand this service to all 12 wards of the municipality." According to him, AI can identify suspicious patients by analyzing X-rays in a few minutes. This helps reduce the workload of health workers and facilitates timely testing and treatment. According to him, the use of AI technology has significantly contributed to the early identification, treatment, and control of the spread of tuberculosis. Such technology is particularly effective in remote areas where access to specialist doctors is limited.