HEALTH | MINISTER ACENG | X-RAY MACHINE 

KAMPALA - Five government health facilities in Apac, Mityana, Kyenjojo, Rakai and Kagadi will each receive one digital mobile X-ray machine to boost their efforts, especially in identifying people with Tuberculosis (TB).

The five machines were given to Uganda on Friday by the United States Agency for International Development.

According to the officials in the Ministry of Health, these machines will simplify the work of ordinary health workers not trained as professional radiologists.

They say the machines come equipped with artificial intelligence software for computer-aided diagnosis of TB which automatically interpreters X-ray images.

They also say the machines have the added advantage of portability, coupled with capability for solar charging to deliver seamless battery-driven radiographic imaging, critical to screen and diagnose TB in remote communities which are in many cases off the national hydroelectric power grid.

The digital X-ray machines can be carried in backpacks and transported by motorcycle to conduct TB screening camps in targeted TB hotspots and communities, targeting individuals at increased risk for TB. 

These include people living with HIV, contacts of TB patients, diabetic patients, prisoners, and refugees.

These five machines bring the total number of digital X-ray machines to 12.

On Friday, the minister of health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, flagged off 50 motorcycles for use in districts and also commissioned two mobile TB clinics procured with funding from the Global Fund.