New TB Screening Campaign Targets High-Risk Groups

A fresh national drive to scale up tuberculosis (TB) screening in Kenya is focusing on populations at high risk, as part of renewed efforts to accelerate case detection and curb transmission. On 14 October 2025, the Ministry of Health launched 80 ultra‑portable digital chest X‑ray units powered by artificial intelligence, aiming to reach underserved communities and improve early diagnosis.
County governments are playing a key role in this push. In Turkana County, for example, authorities deployed mobile screening using CAD‑enabled digital X-ray machines in hotspot areas—including mining communities—where living conditions heighten TB risk. During recent outreach in Turkana South, over 300 people were screened, leading to 23 confirmed TB cases that were immediately linked to treatment.
Similarly, Busia County has expanded its cross-border TB detection efforts. In a three-day screening exercise at a border point, health officials and partners identified previously undetected cases among mobile populations, including cross-border travelers and local residents. The county’s TB and Leprosy Coordinator pointed out that identifying and treating these high-risk individuals is crucial for reducing transmission and improving treatment outcomes.
Experts say that this push aligns with Kenya’s National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Lung Health (2023–2028), which prioritizes active case finding, differentiated screening, and tailored approaches for high-risk groups such as miners, household contacts of TB patients, and people living with HIV. The strategy also includes scaled-up preventive therapy (TPT) and ongoing community engagement to ensure that vulnerable populations are continuously screened, treated, and supported.