TB continues to demand focused attention in Paraguay, where 4,300 people were estimated to have developed the disease in 2023. With 380 individuals also living with both TB and HIV, and 290 TB-related deaths recorded that year, strengthening diagnostic access remains essential. Although relatively few cases of drug-resistant TB were reported, nearly 600 people went undiagnosed, underlining the importance of reliable screening in every part of the country.
To help close these diagnostic gaps, we’ve partnered with the Ministerio de Salud Publica (PNCT) to extend services into harder-to-reach regions. In 2020, the ministry procured a Delft Light X-ray system and CAD4TB to support active case finding. Two years later, a second Delft Light system and CAD4TB were deployed. This initiative, supported by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), is part of a broader effort to boost early detection and curb transmission.
Making a Difference
Webinar insights
During the 2022 webinar “Cross-Continental Scale-Up of Digital X-rays and CAD,” Dr Luis Gomez Paciello, Pulmonologist and PhD candidate in Paraguay, presented the Prinose Project in Paraguay, which combines AI-powered CAD4TB screening with an electronic nose device for TB detection. The speaker explained, “Our objective is to evaluate the feasibility and utility of CAD4TB as a mass screening tool for TB in high-incidence settings.” Highlighting the practicality of the system, they added, “The X-ray machine is very easy to use and does not require constant electrical connection, which is excellent because in prisons the conditions are very challenging.” The study, conducted across multiple prisons since 2021, is nearing completion and aims to validate AI-based tools for improving TB detection among incarcerated populations.
During the 2023 Delft Imaging webinar “TB Active Case-Finding in Latin America using AI & portable X-rays,” Ms Angelica Medina, the Head of Monitoring and evaluation of the NTP, alongside being a Consultant for WHO/PAHO for Epidemiological Review Tuberculosis, shared the country’s experience introducing AI-powered X-ray screening. She explained, “From January to July, we were able to test around 500 people… and confirmed 12 TB cases, mostly among key populations like prisoners, indigenous groups, and people with diabetes.” Highlighting the benefits of CAD technology, she noted, “AI automates and standardizes interpretation and complements healthcare workers, extending detection to hard-to-reach populations.” Paraguay began using Delft digital X-ray systems in January 2024, marking a significant step toward early TB detection in underserved areas.
Press coverage
In 2024, celebrating World TB Day, PAHO TV featured a video highlighting CAD4TB and Delft Light.
