Fujifilm and Qure.ai have partnered with Nigeria’s Institute of Human Virology (IHVN) to improve tuberculosis (TB) screening in rural communities through advanced technology. This initiative, supported by USAID, involves deploying Fujifilm’s portable, battery-powered Xair X-ray machines with Qure.ai’s AI-based imaging software to identify TB cases in hard-to-reach areas.
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In Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, TB is a leading cause of death, often co-occurring with HIV. The Xair device and Qure.ai’s AI algorithms offer an efficient solution for TB testing in remote locations by providing portable, accurate, and rapid diagnostics. This allows healthcare teams to screen more individuals and detect TB earlier, even in places with limited electricity or infrastructure.
Dr. Chukwuma Anyaike from Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health lauded the success of this technology-driven approach, which has already proven effective in piloted areas. Dr. Aderonke Agbaje from IHVN highlighted that this partnership brings vital healthcare access to communities with challenging terrain, marking a significant advancement in their ongoing TB outreach.
Over the next five years, USAID and IHVN aim to scale up TB detection and treatment across Nigeria. This project not only improves patient access to care but also incorporates contact tracing for TB cases, helping reduce transmission and strengthen Nigeria’s national TB reporting.
Godspower Asika of Fujifilm emphasized Fujifilm’s commitment to making its technology accessible in Nigeria, with its Xair device enabling continuous screening without electricity. Qure.ai’s CEO Prashant Warier expressed enthusiasm for using AI to expand healthcare access, noting that Qure’s software can assess chest X-rays within a minute, identifying TB and other lung diseases accurately.
This partnership between IHVN, Fujifilm, and Qure.ai aims to enhance TB detection, treatment, and reporting in rural Nigeria, reducing transmission and supporting innovation in TB care. Together, these organizations are working to bring life-saving diagnostics and care to underserved communities, advancing universal healthcare access in Nigeria.
