Kenya

Our projects in lung health

The total population of Kenya in 2020 was estimated to be approximately 54 million people. That year, there were an estimated 139,000 people who developed TB. Among them, 17,000 were children. Moreover, there were 67,354 missing people with TB, of which 11,394 were children.

In 2010, Delft Imaging supplied an EasyDR system to the National Tuberculosis Program of Kenya. Today, that system is still operational.

Over the years, several sites received the CAD4TB software, using artificial intelligence to detect TB-related in collaboration with Amref Flying Doctors automatically.

In 2021, Delft Imaging delivered an additional 8 Delft Light portable backpack X-ray systems with the CAD4TB artificial intelligence software to the Ministry of Health of Kenya as part of the iNTP project (supported by the Stop TB Partnership and funded by USAID). The project included installation and training services and the necessary service and maintenance support.

For more information on how CAD4TB has been used throughout Kenya, please view the story of ‘Diagnostic Accuracy of Computer-Aided Chest X-ray Tuberculosis Screening: The Kenya National TB Prevalence Survey Retrospective Study’, as presented by Dr. Brenda Mungai. The story was presented during the Delft Q3 webinar of 2022. The implementation of the iNTP project in Kenya was also featured in a newsletter posted by Kenya NTLP.

Our projects in maternal health

Kenya’s maternal mortality ratio stood at 149 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, marking a notable reduction from crisis levels two decades ago. While continued investments have improved access to antenatal care in urban centers, rural and peri-urban areas still face barriers to timely diagnosis and referral, reinforcing the need for decentralized and accessible screening tools.

In 2024, two BabyChecker systems were deployed in Kenya through Hatch Technology and PharmAccess Foundation. These units are currently supporting antenatal care in rural and underserved areas. Hatch Technologies has integrated BabyChecker into its comprehensive distribution and support services for providing high-quality medical devices designed for maternal, newborn, and child health requirements in Kenya.

BabyChecker has been implemented with local and international partners in Kisumu County to increase access to maternal health screening services.

Making a difference

Lung health

In a study published in late 2022, CAD4TB was used on chest X-ray images from participants in the 2016 Kenya National TB Prevalence Survey, using CAD4TB 6 (note: this is an older version of CAD4TB than what is currently available). The study concluded that computer-aided chest X-ray screening is an accurate tool that could support community TB screening in high-burden countries with limited access to radiologists and clinicians.

NTP Kenya, in 2023, discussed how CAD4TB is improving TB Case Finding in Siaya County, in their newsletter. Increasing diagnosis rates by 50% and allowing for the screening of approximately 200-300 clients daily. Dr. Felix praises the efficiency of the CAD4TB CXR machine for TB screening services, highlighting several advantages. “We really deserved this machine. In a day we serve an average of 200-300 clients of which 10 are likely to be TB patients in a month against our target of six patients. Compared to last year, our TB diagnosis has increased by 50% meaning we were missing cases as a result of the absence of the machine.”

In 2024, NTP Kenya’s newsletter discussed the impact of CAD4TB in TB screening in the country, highlighting its significant role in improving detection rates, especially in high-burden regions. The technology has enhanced the accuracy and efficiency of diagnosing tuberculosis through advanced image analysis capabilities, facilitating early and effective treatment interventions. This integration of CAD4TB into national screening efforts aligns with Kenya’s strategic health initiatives to curb the spread of tuberculosis and reduce its health impact across communities.

Stop TB Partnership’s iNTP in Kenya successfully implemented the Tibulims connectivity solution, integrating GeneXpert, Truenat, and CAD4TB systems to boost TB diagnostics. This initiative has improved real-time data reporting, network monitoring, and maintenance, strengthening Kenya’s TB diagnostic capabilities and ensuring sustainability through national ownership. Read about it here.

Maternal health

In Kenya, BabyChecker is part of a broader initiative to strengthen maternal healthcare services through digital innovation. The solution is implemented in partnership with the PharmAccess Foundation and the County Government of Kisumu. The focus is to expand the county’s digital health infrastructure and ensure seamless tracking of maternal health data.

This work was highlighted in the 2024 BabyChecker webinar, where Dr. Gregory Ganda described how BabyChecker and digital health record systems are being integrated to improve diagnostic accuracy, service efficiency, and maternal health outcomes in low-resource settings

Case Study

Kenya’s use of Delft Light ultra-portable digital X-ray systems with CAD4TB has shown a higher TB prevalence in household contacts compared to the general population, emphasizing the value of this technology in targeted screening and early treatment initiation. Discover how this approach is shaping TB control efforts by efficiently identifying and treating cases through the case study “TB screening among Household Contacts with Delft Light & CAD4TB.”

Kenya’s NTP has enhanced TB screening and diagnosis with new tools like Delft Light X-rays and CAD4TB, integrated into the national TB data system, TIBULIMS, for streamlined data access and improved diagnostics. Learn more about how this integration facilitates real-time data viewing and supports efficient TB diagnosis across different locations through the Delft Imaging webinar session in 2023 “Integration of CAD4TB & National TB Data System (TIBULIMS).”