Narok steps up TB detection with advanced diagnostic equipment

EMILY KADZO-KNA

The fight against tuberculosis (TB) at Narok County Referral Hospital has received a significant boost following the acquisition of advanced diagnostic tools to facilitate easier and faster diagnosis.

According to the County TB and Leprosy Coordinator (CTLC) for Narok County, Mr. Micah Cheburet, although the burden of TB, TB/HIV, and drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) remains high, it is not all doom and gloom.

He stated that the health personnel in the devolved unit now have an edge in the hard-to treat form of tuberculosis following adoption of advanced lung disease diagnostic equipment obtained through support from the national government and development partners.

According to the World Health Organizations, Kenya is one of the 30 countries globally with the majority (at least 80 per cent) of TB cases.

Mr. Cheburet explained that due to deployment of advanced diagnostic equipment, 1,556 cases of drug susceptible tuberculosis and 11 cases of drug resistant tuberculosis had been diagnosed in Narok last year and patients put on treatment.

“Currently in Narok for every 100,000 people, we have a 146 prevalence of tuberculosis cases. Factors that are fueling the rising prevalence in this region range from poor and crowded housing conditions in manyattas, migratory nature of pastoralists and misdiagnosis of the condition,” states the coordinator. 

In an interview with Kenya News Agency at the Narok County Referral Hospital, Mr. Cheburet singled out misconceptions about the disease, over reliance on traditional herbalists, failure to seek early treatment and growing HIV/Aids burden as drivers of new tuberculosis cases in the devolved unit.

The TB and Leprosy Coordinator indicated that the use of ultra-port able digital chest X-ray machines with Artificial Intelligence (AI) had enhanced efficiency and accuracy in TB screening, besides enabling a larger number of people to be screened.

“The use of X-ray with a Computer Aided Detection (CAD) is a game changer in the f ight against TB and is of great help in finding missing cases,” stated the coordinator.

The advanced diagnostic equipment are stationed at public health facilities in Narok Town, Kilgoris, Ololunga and Nairegia Enkare.

“We expect the new equipment to support active case finding strategies and strengthen surveillance efforts aligned with national TB control priorities within the regions.

"The new equipment builds on earlier county investments in portable digital X-ray technology that have significantly improved TB case finding, reduced diagnostic delays and eased congestion at referral hospitals.

"By enabling same-day screening and results, the AI-supported system enhances timely linkage to care and improves treatment outcomes,” explained the coordinator.