Over four days, 21 physicians from regional and university hospitals in and around Cotonou, representing emergency care, internal medicine, pneumology, and pediatrics, took part in a programme combining theoretical instruction with extensive hands-on practice, with particular emphasis on lung ultrasound. The training also covered the FASH (Focused Assessment with Sonography for HIV-associated Tuberculosis) and deep vein thrombosis protocols.

This training represents a key component of the project's capacity strengthening strategy. The AI model being developed to interpret tuberculosis findings from lung ultrasound will depend on healthcare workers' ability to acquire good-quality images, meaning technological development and local skill-building must advance together.

The competencies gained extend well beyond tuberculosis and are directly applicable to a broad range of clinical questions. As the 21 participants return to their hospitals and departments, these skills are expected to spread further within their clinical teams.

The project's next milestone will be the final preparations for patient enrolment in Benin this autumn for the beginning of clinical trials.