Sindh’s first AI-powered X-ray machine detects tb in minutes, replacing slow, outdated methods.

Sindh Government Qatar Hospital in Karachi has become the first healthcare facility in the province to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis. The cutting-edge Cat 4 Integrated AI X-ray machine, now installed at the hospital, can detect TB and other chest infections within just five minutes—revolutionising early detection and treatment.

Dr. Rashid Siraj Khanzada, the hospital’s Medical Superintendent, explained that the machine converts grayscale X-ray images into colour scans using AI. If TB or a chest infection is present, the affected areas turn red, allowing for an immediate diagnosis. Previously, TB detection could take days, during which an infected patient could unknowingly spread the disease to 15–20 others.

The high-tech machine, worth Rs45 million, has been installed with support from the Sindh TB Programme. Another unit is set to be placed at Ojha Hospital soon. Dr. Khanzada emphasised the importance of this advancement, stating that the instant identification of TB will ensure patients receive faster treatment, ultimately reducing transmission rates.

Trained staff are already operating the machine at Qatar Hospital, where a dedicated TB unit has been set up to manage cases efficiently. On average, 120 to 150 TB patients visit the hospital daily, making rapid diagnosis crucial.

One of the standout features of this AI-powered system is its ability to share results instantly via WhatsApp, enabling doctors to review cases remotely. This technological leap is expected to significantly improve TB management across Sindh.

With TB remaining a major health concern in Pakistan, the deployment of AI-driven diagnosis marks a significant step towards controlling its spread. If successful, similar machines could soon be installed at other hospitals, paving the way for a future where deadly diseases are identified and treated faster than ever before