Luvindao promises digital technology, AI to fight TB

Health Ministry to Use Digital Technology to Improve WellbeingBy Tuyeimo HaidulaTsandiMinister of Health and Social Services Dr Esperance Luvindao has pledged to champion innovative digital and technological solutions to enhance Tuberculosis (TB) detection and treatment in Namibia. She emphasised that her team will work towards expanding artificial intelligence (AI)-aided digital X-ray screening to identify more TB cases in communities and health facilities.Luvindao’s remarks were delivered on her behalf by health ministry executive director, Ben Nangombe, during World TB Day commemorations on Friday at Tsandi in the Omusati region. The event was held under the theme: “Yes! We Can End TB: Commit, Invest, Deliver.”Luvindao stressed that digital innovations and AI must be leveraged to optimise TB diagnosis and treatment. “We will integrate and adopt other digital technologies for early detection and improved treatment of TB. This will significantly reduce the burden on our healthcare workers, enhance patient outcomes, and strengthen our public health system,” she said.She highlighted that TB remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, killing more people annually than any other infectious illness. Namibia continues to face a significant TB burden, and the annual commemoration serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing fight against the disease.Namibia's TB burdenLuvindao noted that Namibia ranks among the top 11 countries globally with the highest TB incidence rates. In 2024 alone, the country recorded 8,360 cases of drug-susceptible TB and 292 cases of drug-resistant TB.“It is a public health concern that, according to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, up to 33% of people with TB remain undiagnosed. Additionally, Namibia could be missing up to 67% of TB cases nationally,” she warned.Despite progress in TB treatment, Namibia’s treatment success rate for all TB cases stands at 88%, just 2% shy of WHO’s 90% target. However, she pointed out that TB/HIV co-infection remains a major concern, as people living with HIV are at a much higher risk of developing TB. She stressed that integrating HIV and TB services in health facilities is critical to tackling both diseases.Speaking at the same event, WHO Country Representative, Dr Richard Banda, highlighted that TB takes an enormous human and social toll on those affected, as well as on their families and communities.“Poverty, inequality, malnutrition, discrimination, and stigma remain major drivers of the TB epidemic,” he said. Banda called for coordinated, multisectoral action to address these challenges, stressing the need for renewed commitment and sustained investment to eradicate TB as a public health threat.“There is an urgent need to increase domestic financing to safeguard essential health services, including access to life-saving medicines, diagnostics, and treatment,” he said.As Namibia continues its fight against TB and HIV-associated TB cases, experts are urging bold actions and intensified efforts to implement WHO-recommended TB strategies to curb the epidemic. - tuyeimo@nmh-hub.com.na

Luvindao promises digital technology, AI to fight TB

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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Luvindao promises digital technology, AI to fight TB

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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