As global health systems accelerate the adoption of digital innovation to close diagnostic gaps, correctional facilities remain among the most underserved and high-risk environments, yet they also offer some of the greatest opportunities for transformative impact. This presentation highlights how Namibia has leveraged AI-enabled chest radiography to strengthen TB detection within the Namibian Correctional Service (NCS), aligning directly with global calls to accelerate innovation, improve health equity, and reach populations often left behind.

Across 12 correctional facilities, more than 4,300 inmates and officers participated in a comprehensive TB screening campaign that integrated portable digital X-ray technology with CAD4TB artificial intelligence. This approach enabled rapid identification of abnormal findings, including early and asymptomatic TB that would likely be missed through symptom screening alone. Nearly half of the AI-flagged abnormal chest X-rays suggested TB, leading to the notification of 39 TB cases, most of them detected clinically through radiographic assessment. Incidental findings such as lung masses further illustrated the broader health benefits of imaging-supported screening in restricted environments.

By demonstrating how digital tools can enhance precision, speed, and case detection in high-burden settings, this initiative showcases the potential of AI to advance national and global TB elimination goals. The presentation will explore operational lessons, implementation challenges, and opportunities for scale-up, offering a compelling case for integrating AI-driven diagnostics into routine correctional health services.