On World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, we commemorate the critical role of the International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s Africa Regional Teleradiology and Quality Control Centre in Nairobi in diagnosing pulmonary TB among migrants and refugees in sub-Saharan Africa.

TB remains one of the leading causes of death from an infectious disease worldwide. Migrants and refugees may face challenges in accessing TB diagnosis and treatment services due, for example, to the circumstances around their migration, language or financial barriers, or limited access to quality healthcare services.

Established in 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya, the IOM Africa Regional Teleradiology Centre makes a vital contribution to the quality and availability of chest X-ray TB screening services in the Africa region, especially in many remote and underserved locations where IOM works.

Chest X-ray is the primary TB screening method used in IOM's Migration Health Assessment Centres and facilitates the prompt detection of TB disease and early initiation of treatment.

At the heart of the Centre’s contribution is the introduction of a teleradiology solution that enables real-time remote interpretation of chest X-rays by a team of experienced radiologists. Using state of the art technology, digital chest X-ray images are sent to the Africa Regional Teleradiology Centre from over 55 IOM and non-IOM Migration Health Assessment Centres serving refugees and migrants. As of December 2023, the Centre had screened more than 1 million chest X-rays for TB.

The Centre also works to improve the capacity of IOM Migration Health Assessment Centres across the region, guiding the establishment of local radiology units and procurement of radiology equipment, and building staff capacity through training and support. 

The professionalism and commitment of the radiologists at the IOM Africa Regional Teleradiology Centre are central to improving the quality of TB radiology screening services for refugees and migrants, working with the dedicated radiographers and physicians in IOM Migration Health Assessment Centres across the region.

Ultimately, through the provision of TB screening and treatment services, not only is the health of migrants and the communities they leave and join protected, but migrants are better prepared for safe, healthy and successful migration prior to their departure.

Speaking to the World TB Day theme “Yes! We Can End TB!”, Dr. Grace Gatete, National Radiology Officer at the Africa Regional Teleradiology Centre shared: “When we catch the disease early before the symptoms come, we help the people we serve. This is a debilitating disease when it is fully fledged. When caught early, it is curable. This is a good feeling.”

For more information on the work of the Africa Regional Teleradiology Centre, please contact Louise Machoka (lmachoka@iom.int).