Koronadal, South Cotabato |September 05, 2025 – South Cotabato marked a major milestone in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) with the rollout of AI-powered diagnostic technologies across eight areas of the province.
According to John Arlo Codilla, Nurse-III and Head of the Provincial TB Control Unit, South Cotabato is among the first provinces in the country to deploy ultra-portable X-ray machines integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) to detect TB, even in remote communities.
“These AI-powered X-rays provide instant results on the ground, allowing us to identify TB cases quickly and accurately,” Codilla said, noting that the technology was first introduced in 2022 and has since expanded to cover more areas.
Currently, 18 trained TB experts are stationed in various rural health units (RHUs), including two dedicated specialists in the province who support diagnostics and case management.
Facilities for advanced testing are also in place, with two sites catering to extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) at SOCCSKSARGEN General Hospital and the Integrated Provincial Health Office.
The province most recently expanded its AI-powered detection network through the installation of a new TB testing machine at the RHU of LGU-Tboli, with support from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).
“These technologies give us speed and accuracy,” Codilla emphasized.
Codilla added, “the earlier we detect TB, the faster we can cure it—and save lives.”
