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The Zambian government has launched the Ultrasound Pulmonary Tuberculosis Diagnosis Study (POCUS4TB), reaffirming its commitment to integrating innovative diagnostic tools into the national Tuberculosis (TB) response.
Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Dr. Kennedy Lishimpi, said the Ministry was investing in improved health infrastructure and training healthcare workers to effectively adopt new technologies in TB control.
Lishimpi made the remarks during the official launch of the POCUS4TB study at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Kenneth Kaunda Wing, in Lusaka on Friday.
The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with Zambart, Kanyama Level One Hospital, and other stakeholders.
He commended Zambart and its partners for advancing research into point-of-care lung ultrasound technology, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance diagnostic accuracy.
He said these efforts aligned with the Ministry’s broader vision of leveraging technology for more efficient and equitable healthcare delivery.
“This approach supports the national TB elimination strategy, which emphasizes early detection, targeted treatment, and improved patient outcomes,” Dr. Lishimpi said.
He further stressed the importance of collaboration across government institutions, healthcare providers, researchers, and community stakeholders to achieve sustainable health outcomes.
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Lishimpi assured the public that the Ministry remained committed to enhancing TB control through evidence-based, scalable, and cost-effective innovations.
“One of our key priorities is to expand access to diagnostic tools, ensuring that all patients—regardless of location or socioeconomic status—receive timely and accurate TB diagnoses,” he said.
Meanwhile, Consultant Pulmonologist and Medical ICU Lead at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Dr. Kondwelani Mateyo, explained that the POCUS4TB study will evaluate the role of ultrasound in TB diagnosis and assess lung ultrasound features indicative of TB.
Mateyo added that the study would also review the accuracy of various lung ultrasound imaging protocols and probe types in diagnosing TB, particularly with AI integration.
“The findings will help determine whether lung ultrasound, combined with AI, can be effectively integrated into Zambia’s health system,” he said.
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