A Digital Chest X-ray machine, which communicates directly with the central level from anywhere in the country, will be used for the TB Prevalence survey.According to Engineer Jules Kamugunga, the Data Manager in the Tuberculosis (TB) and other Respiratory Communicable Disease Division, the machine is very effective and accurate. It takes at least 160 participants per a day.The results can also be interpreted in the field and then transferred to central archiving at the Central Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), Kamugunga said.He added that apart from their capacity, the machines have very low radiation which can only affect the embryo of a pregnant woman- therefore all women are protected from the radiation by lead skit.These machines will be very effective in the Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey at national level that was recently launched in Rukumberi sector, Ngoma District in the Eastern Province.The National prevalence survey is the first of its kind and it will be used to measure the progress made towards achieving MDGs related to TB prevalence.The survey which will be conducted for 9 months, targets people aged 15 and above in selected areas countrywide. The whole process is confidential, and for people who will be found positive, the treatment will be free of charge. Each year, between 6,000 and 8,000 cases of TB are reported in the country.
