MOYO GENERAL HOSPITAL LAUNCHES MOBILE X-RAY MACHINE FOR TB SCREENING

The integrated modern mobile X-ray machine on trial at Moyo general hospital

By Araba Kalsum

Moyo

Moyo General Hospital has launched an integrated, modern mobile X-ray machine donated by the Ministry of Health to support tuberculosis screening, particularly in TB hotspot areas.

The initiative is aimed at increasing TB detection and ensuring that people diagnosed with the disease are linked to treatment at an early stage.

Dr. Odama Alex Alidria, the Regional TB and Leprosy Focal Person for the West Nile Region at the Ministry of Health, says the mobile approach is intended to reach people who face challenges accessing TB screening services.

“The reason why the government has gone mobile is because we have people who, for one reason or another, are unable to come for these services. The Ministry has decided to reach them, whether they don’t want to come or they don’t have transport. For whatever reason, we go and look for them in their homes and communities. That is why we are here.”

Amoko Steven, the Assistant District Health Officer in charge of Environmental Health, appreciates the Ministry of Health for providing the portable X-ray machine, saying it will strengthen TB screening in Moyo District.

“I need to appreciate the Ministry of Health for allocating us this portable X-ray machine for TB screening activities. This machine will help health workers move and screen TB cases in remote areas and also in identified hotspots. Where we have identified vulnerable populations, such as prisons and others, it will help us move there because it is portable.”

Meanwhile, Isadru Peter, the Secretary for Health in Moyo District, calls for vigilance in maintaining and securing the machine to ensure it serves the community effectively.

“As Moyo District, we need to own this machine. It is our machine; it has been brought for us, and we need to maintain it properly. Its security must also be one of our priorities. Since the machine is portable, anything can happen to it, so we must be vigilant about its security.

“At least, if we are able to maintain it properly, it can take years. My appeal to the health workers is that it should not remain static. Since it is portable, let us move it to the down community so that those who are reluctant to check their TB status can have the machine brought closer to them and access the services freely.”

Dr. Chandi Michael Opeli, the Medical Superintendent of Moyo General Hospital, also emphasizes the need to protect the equipment.

He says the machine will be stationed at the health facility when it is not being used for community outreach to ensure its safety and security.

“This equipment definitely will be moving around, but it will be stationed at the facility. Personally, I am seeing a number of issues coming. I am foreseeing it because I have three staff members in my radiology department, and they have to figure out how they can balance that movement.

“It will be good if we can get another person to join them so that they can rotationally go and offer these services at community level because it is mobile.”

The mobile X-ray machine is AI-enabled and can screen both people who have symptoms, such as a cough, and those who do not show obvious signs of tuberculosis.

The machine is expected to move from one sub-county to another, providing free TB screening services to communities across Moyo District.

Written by newsroom-radiopacis