By Omboki Monayo
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Unitaid and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) have announced a strategic partnership that aims to revolutionize tuberculosis (TB) screening in low- and middle-income countries.
By significantly reducing the cost of a portable, battery-operated digital chest X-ray system, this initiative brings cutting-edge diagnostic technology closer to vulnerable communities, ultimately aiding in the fight against a disease that continues to claim lives worldwide.
The newly introduced ultraportable digital chest X-ray, developed by South Korean company Poskom, is a game-changer in TB detection.
Weighing only 5 kg (approximately 11 lbs), this innovative device is designed to perform in the most challenging and remote settings, making it an ideal solution for regions where access to healthcare facilities is limited.
The system is also compatible with AI-driven computer-aided detection software, which interprets X-ray images with an accuracy rivaling that of expert radiologists. This crucial combination allows for early TB screening and triage in communities, effectively addressing long-existing barriers related to distance, cost, and stigma.
Dr. Philippe Duneton, Unitaid’s Executive Director, highlighted the significance of this advancement: “This innovation will help bring expert-level TB screening closer to the people and communities most affected by the disease, where health facilities are often out of reach. By making this technology more affordable and accessible, we are not only helping countries reach further with TB care, but also reinforcing health systems to respond to lung disease more broadly,” he said.
Strategic Partnerships and Global Impact
Under the terms of the new pricing agreement, the AirRay 20 ultraportable digital chest X-ray system will be available to 138 countries at a ceiling price of just $20,000 or Ksh2.6m.
This represents a significant reduction of approximately 60% compared to similar quality ultraportable X-ray devices that are currently available in the market.
Countries that stand to benefit from this substantial price cut include those with a high burden of TB such as Kenya, Vietnam, and South Africa.
The package comprises all essential components for field implementation, including an ultralight X-ray generator, a digital detector, adjustable stands, a laptop for image processing, and a backpack that facilitates easy transport.
Dr. Neil Buddy Shah, CEO of CHAI, expressed optimism about the agreement: “This agreement shows what’s possible when we make life-saving technology affordable for those who need it most. With TB still being the world’s largest infectious disease killer, access to low-cost diagnostics has remained a major barrier to care,” the medic said, adding that the price cut would positively impact the efforts to provide patients in resource-scarce regions with timely and affordable diagnosis.
“By dramatically lowering the price of these portable X-ray systems, we’re bringing a breakthrough solution directly to communities where people live. It’s a powerful example of how smart market solutions can remove barriers to care and save lives today,” Dr Shah stated.
The new agreement also represents the first market-shaping intervention under the Unitaid-funded ASCENT DR-TB Market Access partnership, jointly led by the KNCV TB Foundation, CHAI, and South Africa’s Aurum Institute.
This initiative is dedicated to improving the affordability and availability of WHO-recommended TB diagnostics and treatment regimens, especially in countries grappling with high TB burdens and limited resources.
Addressing the TB Burden through Accessibility
The urgency for such innovations is underscored by alarming statistics surrounding TB’s impact.
In Kenya, TB continues to pose a significant health challenge. Statistics contained in the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) of 2022 show that the country reported over 65,000 new cases of TB in 2022, with approximately 12,000 deaths attributed to the disease.
As reported, TB remains the deadliest infectious disease globally, with an estimated 1.25 million lives lost in 2023 alone. More than 10.8 million people fell ill due to the disease, highlighting the pressing need for accessible and effective diagnostic tools. Disturbingly, nearly 1 in 5 individuals with TB go undiagnosed each year, largely due to limited access to affordable screening resources.
The importance of early detection cannot be overstated. Digital chest X-ray technology, particularly when paired with computer-aided detection software, serves as a powerful tool for identifying TB even in individuals who do not exhibit symptoms of active disease.
Unfortunately, until now, this advanced technology has mostly been restricted to health facilities, posing a barrier for many affected individuals who may encounter challenges related to distance, cost, and social stigma in seeking care.
Dr. Dinh Van Luong, Director of the National Lung Hospital and Manager of the National Tuberculosis Program in Vietnam (VNTP), emphasized the transformative potential of this technology: “Ultraportable chest X-ray has been an instrumental part of the ‘Double X’ strategy implemented by the Vietnam NTP. With safe, lower-cost systems, we are able to cost-effectively identify more cases and close the diagnostic gap.”
In combination with the price reduction, CHAI will work closely with Poskom to enhance distribution networks and improve service capacity, ensuring that devices remain reliable, maintained, and operational. This comprehensive approach is seen as crucial in maintaining continuity in TB screening efforts, particularly in low and middle income countries (LMICs).
For countries like Kenya, where significant strides have been made in introducing ultraportable digital chest X-ray systems, this cost reduction is seen as a vital boost.
Responding to the partnership arrangement, Dr. Immaculate Kathure from the Kenya Ministry of Health, Division of TB and Lung Health, stated, “The reduction in price will support further scale-up and accelerate TB case finding within countries’ strained TB budgets.”
Overall, the collaboration between Unitaid and CHAI marks a significant step forward in the battle against tuberculosis, emphasizing the critical need for innovative, accessible solutions that can reach communities most affected by this deadly disease.
As the global health community rallies together to confront TB, this initiative exemplifies how advancements in technology and strategic partnerships can save lives and improve health outcomes for millions of people around the world.