E21mln mobile TB trucks, 12 motorbikes to enhance fight against TB
By Thokozani Mazibuko
In a bid to enable earl and quick case detection of Tuberculosis (TB) to reduce delays in initiating care and ultimately save lives, the Minister of Health Mduduzi Matsebula has commissioned four AI equipped state-of-the art mobile TB trucks and 12 motorbikes worth over E21 million.
The commissioning of the mobile trucks and the motorbikes, which will be used by the National TB Control Programme for TB screening purposes, took place yesterday morning at Matsapha Central Medical Stores (CMS).
When making his remarks, the minister said he was pleased to commission the four state-of-the-art mobile TB trucks, three of which came equipped with Computer-Aided Detection and Artificial Intelligence (CAD/AI) technology and Gene-Xpert, along with 12 motorbikes to further strengthen the ministry’s outreach capacity.
“The trucks and motorbikes were procured through Global Fund, costing a combined E21 528,552, of which E622 764 was for the motorbikes and E20 905,788 was for the trucks,” the minister said.
He stated that yesterday’s event marked a significant milestone in the national fight against tuberculosis, a disease that remains one of the country’s most pressing public health challenges.
He stated that with an incidence rate of 350 per 100 000 population, TB continues to impact families, disrupt livelihoods, and claim lives that could otherwise be saved through early detection and timely treatment.
“The trucks we are commissioning today (yesterday) are more than just vehicles. They are mobile health facilities that will take cutting-edge diagnostic services to the heart of our communities, particularly those in hard-to-reach areas,” said the minister.
He stated that through the integration of CAD/AI technology, they were enhancing their ability to screen and diagnose TB faster and more accurately.
He said this technological leap will enable earl and quick case detection to reduce delays in initiating care and ultimately save lives.
“We have already tested one of these trucks at the recently ended Eswatini International Trade Fair, and we have seen this high efficiency at work. We screened 229 people, identifying eight cases that were referred to health facilities for further interventions,” the minister said.
He stated that even the Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini gave the mobile truck a go and was amazed at the quickness and precision of the technology.
He said they were thrilled that these trucks will now benefit Emaswati countrywide.
“Out of the four mobile units: three are fully equipped with Chest X-Ray and CAD/AI for rapid and precise TB screening in the field. One is equipped with Chest X-Ray only, complemented by GeneXpert technology for on-site sputum testing and confirmation of TB diagnosis,” he said.
The minister said the arrangements have been made to also equip this truck with CAD/AI, and this will be done soon.
He said the benefits of using Chest X-Ray and CAD/AI include amongst others that it helps identify TB cases early, even in asymptomatic individuals or those with unusual presentations.
The minister said CAD/AI tools improve diagnostic accuracy, identifying subtle signs of TB and other conditions such as lung cancer, silicosis, smoking-related damage, and other respiratory diseases.
He added that Al systems analyse chest X-rays or other data in seconds or minutes, speeding up the diagnostic process.
“It facilitates early TB initiation and improves treatment outcomes. Mobile screening units with Al-integrated X-ray machines can reach communities and still function properly using solar panels,” he said.
He stated that once deployed, Al tools can screen large numbers of patients at low marginal cost.
According to the minister, Chest X-Ray is a sensitive tool able to detect lung abnormalities, including TB, even in early or asymptomatic stages.
The minister stated that the newly procured mobile screening trucks will be deployed regionally. He said each region will assume full ownership and responsibility for the use and upkeep of the trucks, with a primary focus on TB screening.
He stated that the trucks will be officially handed over to the Principal Health Administrator (PHA) in each region to support the integration of services at regional level.
He highlighted that this aligns with the ministry of health’s broader strategy of integrating health services, ensuring the trucks are utilised collaboratively across various health programmes, while maintaining their core function in TB active case finding.
“In terms of roles and responsibilities, through the leadership of PHAs, the regions will be custodians of the trucks by overseeing their maintenance, security, daily operations, and ensuring proper use of equipment during TB screening activities,” he said.
The minister stated that the PHA’s will also ensure focused and strategic use of the trucks for TB activities, through the Regional TB/HIV Coordinator.
He said they will also work with facilities to mobilise required personnel that is radiographers, microscopists and drivers and will be responsible for fuelling and routine maintenance of the trucks.
