In 2023, Guinea reported approximately 25,000 tuberculosis (TB) cases. The burden of disease remained stable, but TB-related deaths rose to 3,300, representing a 9% increase from the previous year. An estimated 4,945 individuals remained undiagnosed or unreported, highlighting persistent gaps in diagnosis. The country also recorded 4,400 TB/HIV co-infections and 450 drug-resistant TB cases. While the rate of missed HIV-positive TB cases declined significantly, early intervention remains a critical priority for national TB control efforts.
We began working in Guinea in 2022, when we delivered an EasyDR digital X-ray system to CHRS Macenta (Centre Hospitalier Régional Spécialisé). The unit was equipped with our CAD4TB software. In 2023, we expanded the installed base with the deployment of a Delft OneStopTB X-ray Clinic through Plan International. The mobile clinic featured an EasyDR system, CAD4TB, and confirmatory testing, supporting comprehensive TB screening and diagnosis in underserved areas.
Making a Difference
Webinar insights
During the Delft Imaging webinar “AI for TB Screening in Francophone Africa: Challenges, Opportunities and Impact,” Dr. Jean Hébélamou, Deputy Director General at CHRS Macenta in Guinea, shared how AI-enabled CAD4TB is transforming TB diagnosis in rural settings. The center transitioned from analog radiography to digital X-ray with AI in 2023, strengthening diagnostic capacity in line with WHO recommendations. “The performance of automated reading helps to interpret images better and to diagnose tuberculosis quickly,” said Dr. Hébélamou. These innovations enable faster treatment initiation and improved case detection, especially where molecular testing is limited.
