Daijiworld Media Network - Bangkok

Bangkok, Mar 24: With just 56 months left to meet the global goal of ending tuberculosis (TB) by 2030, progress remains significantly off track, even as countries like Thailand adopt advanced technologies to improve detection and treatment.

According to the World Health Organization, TB continues to be the world’s deadliest infectious disease. While Thailand has made notable strides—no longer being listed among high-burden nations for drug-resistant TB—it still remains on the high-burden list for overall TB and TB-HIV cases.

Of the estimated 104,000 TB cases in Thailand in 2024, around 81,700 were diagnosed and treated, leaving over 22,000 undetected. The country recorded a 2% annual decline in TB cases between 2023 and 2024, a positive trend but insufficient to meet the 2030 elimination target.

Health experts highlight two major challenges: limited access to healthcare for vulnerable populations and reliance on outdated diagnostic tools like microscopy, which often misses a large proportion of TB cases. In response, UN member states have committed to replacing microscopy with WHO-recommended molecular tests by 2027. Thailand has already achieved 69% adoption of upfront molecular testing in 2024, compared to a global average of 54%.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a key tool in bridging detection gaps. In 2022, Thailand approved Genki AI, an AI-powered lung screening software developed by DeepTek, which can analyse chest X-rays for multiple conditions including TB. The software is also approved by regulators in countries such as the United States, India, and across the European Union.

At Aikchol Hospital, radiologist Dr Grisit Prueksaritanond has been using the AI tool for over a year. He noted that the system has helped detect lung abnormalities that might otherwise have been missed, including at least three critical cases.

Experts say AI-assisted screening not only improves early detection but also reduces diagnostic delays, especially in regions with a shortage of radiologists. The WHO had, in 2021, incorporated AI-based computer-aided detection tools into its guidelines for TB screening—marking a significant shift in global health policy.

Despite technological progress, experts warn that early diagnosis, timely treatment, and prevention remain critical. Large-scale displacement, healthcare access gaps, and resource constraints continue to challenge TB control efforts worldwide.

As countries race against time to meet the 2030 target, global health leaders stress that a combination of innovation, stronger health systems, and equitable access to care will be essential to ensure no one is left behind in the fight against TB.