Application of artificial intelligence in TB screening proves effective

Illustrative image (Photo: GettyImages)

Hanoi (VNA) – Artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly contributed to reducing mistakes in diagnostic imaging, helping to detect diseases early and increasing the treatment result for patients, Doctor Bui Huy Huong, Deputy Director of the Thai Binh Lung Hospital, has said.

Thanks to the use of mobile X-ray vehicles along with the application of AI, more suspected people with TB have been detected in Thai Binh province, he said, adding that AI can assist radiologists to uncover small lesions that are obscured by other organs and notify on computer screens.

Huong said pandemic prevention and control have been enhanced to ensure safety for local residents given complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Associate Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Nhung, Director of the National Lung Hospital, said like COVID-19, TB infections need to be detected as soon as possible so with the application of AI in early diagnosis of TB, the risks of transmission in the community are reduced and the efficiency of treatment for patients would be increased. This will be a foundation to promote the development of AI technology applied to all professions in life, he said.

Thai Binh is among seven provinces and cities that benefit from the project which was carried out by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Support to End Tuberculosis project in coordination with the National Tuberculosis Programme to proactive detection of TB cases in the community for households and people at high risk.

The project uses a double X strategy - diagnose TB using chest X-rays and GeneXpert, a diagnostic method that detects TB bacteria.

It has been implemented in 10 districts in seven provinces and cities namely Can Tho, Dong Thap, Nghe An, Tay Ninh, Tien Giang, An Giang and Thai Binh./.