I am Mr. Nduka Ozor, Executive Director of the Centre for HIV/AIDS and STD Research (CHISTRE), a committed community-based organisation working to improve health outcomes through locally driven solutions in Nigeria. As part of our active case finding for tuberculosis (TB), supported under the Global Fund GC7 grant, our team has engaged communities in Ningi, Dambam, Gamawa, and Darazo Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Bauchi State. A major turning point in our work came with the introduction of MinXray’s portable digital X-ray machine. This innovation has significantly enhanced our ability to detect TB early and accurately in the communities we serve.
Our experience with this digital X-ray device has been exceptional. Unlike traditional diagnostic methods that are often slow, cumbersome, and sometimes inconclusive, this portable machine produces clear, high-definition images that allow our healthcare professionals to identify suspected TB cases with confidence. What stood out immediately was the reliability and consistency of the results. The clarity of the images has enabled more precise interpretation, reducing diagnostic delays and ensuring patients receive timely attention.
One of the most encouraging aspects of the machine is its simplicity. Field workers with minimal technical backgrounds have been able to operate it effectively after brief training, making it highly adaptable for rural outreach. Its portability means we can take it directly into communities, eliminating the need for people to travel long distances to access X-ray services. This has helped us screen more individuals in a shorter time, improving the overall efficiency of our outreach efforts.
Since incorporating this technology into our TB case-finding activities, we have seen measurable progress. The rate at which we detect TB has increased significantly, from 6.6% to 23.8%, demonstrating improved targeting through X-ray triage. The time taken to arrive at a diagnosis has also been reduced, from 3-5 days of an average time from screening to diagnosis to 24-48 hours. This has allowed us to begin treatment faster, which is critical in preventing the spread of TB and improving recovery outcomes for people with TB. In addition, the machine has helped cut down on unnecessary follow-up tests and referrals, saving both time and resources for our teams, patients, and the health system. With X-ray screening being more accurate than symptom screening, we have seen a 54% reduction in the need for costly sputum tests and referrals.
Beyond the clinical impact, the feedback from both healthcare workers and community members has been overwhelmingly positive. Health workers appreciate the machine’s speed and ease of use, while patients are relieved by the quick turnaround in getting results and initiating treatment.
In these communities, the effect has been profound. More people are being diagnosed earlier, fewer cases are being missed, and the general awareness of TB symptoms and treatment is increasing thanks to our improved and increased outreach efforts. The device has empowered our team to be more responsive, more accurate, and more impactful in fighting TB.
We deeply appreciate the support of the Global Fund in making this technology available. The MinXray portable digital X-ray machine has become an essential part of our TB response strategy, and we strongly advocate for its broader adoption. With more support and wider distribution of these machines, we are confident we can make even greater strides in eliminating TB from our communities and improving health outcomes across Bauchi State.
