Testimonials from the Field: Chidimma Okoye on using the IMPACT System in Rural Communities across Nigeria
- MinXray
- Jul 29
- 2 min read
Written by Chidimma Okoye - Technical Lead, Global Fund TB Project – Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria
I am the Technical Lead for the Global Fund TB project with Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria - a specialized vehicle for human development coordinating the social interventions of the Catholic Church in Nigeria. I have worked for Caritas Nigeria for more than six years now. As a public health specialist working to improve access to quality care for all, I have become a passionate advocate for digital health equity. Digital health solutions have the power to reshape healthcare delivery by fully leveraging and streamlining existing health systems and personnel, while also reaching more people with quality diagnosis and care.
I have had the privilege of working with the IMPACT Wireless portable digital X-ray system from
MinXray since 2022. With funding and technical assistance from wave 10 of TB REACH, this technology has been at the heart of our integrated community screening efforts for TB and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in remote rural communities across Nigeria.
The MinXray IMPACT Wireless system has proven to be remarkably well-suited for field deployment; it’s compact, durable and designed with the realities of hard-to-reach areas in mind. Its portability allows us to bring diagnostic services directly to the people, eliminating barriers to access and enabling timely, high-quality screening right at the community level.
What sets this device apart is its consistent performance and image clarity. Even after two years of intensive use, it continues to deliver reliable, high-resolution digital images that have significantly improved our case detection and clinical decision making. Field teams with minimal technical training have been able to operate it confidently, making it a truly scalable solution for decentralized healthcare. Part of what makes using the system easy is that it is AI-enabled. Moments after taking a chest X-ray image of the person’s lung field, it shows up on the computer, and machine learning indicates whether the person is presumptive for TB and other lung abnormalities.
In our experience, the IMPACT unit is more than just a machine, it’s a catalyst for reaching the unreached and transforming rural diagnostic access in Nigeria. What truly inspires me and keeps me motivated to now pass on my knowledge and experience to others using the IMPACT Wireless is the enthusiasm of frontline health workers I have had the pleasure of working with and equipping to use this ultra-portable radiography system. Many serve in hard-to-reach and difficult terrains, so they are eager to embrace technology and propose innovative solutions for deploying AI-enabled chest X-rays for TB screening in their local contexts. The MinXray IMPACT Wireless system demonstrates how technology, when thoughtfully implemented, can be a powerful equalizer in advancing health equity.
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This is very good innovation which has helped to bridge the gap in our health sectors espically in the Rural areas and equally strengthen the primary health care system. We pray for it sustainability. Thank you Dr. for your effort and impact made in bringing health care to our people in the hard to reach area.
My Digital Dr.
Your creativity and innovative prowess is a top notch. Unequivocally, I respectfully commend your passion and efforts in bringing quality health care services to the door post of the common man. The unreached have been reached. God bless you more!
Wonderful bold step indeed,we must be pushing till we'll finally get there,👍🙏