Lung health
In 2024, an estimated 3,000 people in Turkmenistan developed tuberculosis, including 66 children. The country also recorded 930 TB-related deaths, and over 1,400 people remain unlinked to care due to diagnostic gaps, particularly among individuals with drug-resistant TB and TB-HIV co-infection.
In 2025, we partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Fund to introduce Delft Light systems, equipped with CAD4TB, across central and velayat TB hospitals nationwide. These deployments are part of Turkmenistan’s broader effort to strengthen preventive and digital healthcare services and expand access to TB screening across the country.
Making a difference
News Central Asia reported on the launch, highlighting the potential of artificial intelligence and mobile diagnostics to revolutionize TB screening in Turkmenistan. As Tomica Paovic, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Turkmenistan, explained:
“Now, with the advancement of innovation, this situation is changing: portable X-ray units with CAD4TB can be rapidly deployed even to the most remote locations – meaning the equipment can be brought directly to the patient – while artificial intelligence instantly analyzes the images, detecting signs of tuberculosis. This approach transforms screening from a slow and labor-intensive procedure into a mobile, efficient, and accessible opportunity for everyone to detect the disease in a timely manner.”
This initiative demonstrates how AI and mobility can overcome geographic and workforce barriers, transforming TB screening in pursuit of universal health coverage.
