Goa to Roll Out AI-Powered Lung Cancer Screening Across District Hospitals & PHCs

The implementation of AI-powered lung cancer screening tools aligns with the state's commitment to providing top-tier cancer care to its residents.

In a move towards enhancing healthcare services, Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has planned to introduce AI-powered lung cancer screening tools in all district hospitals and primary health centers (PHCs) across the state.

This initiative aims to bolster Goa's commitment to providing holistic cancer care to its citizens.

In a post on his X handle on Saturday, Rane said, "Embracing innovation, AI-powered lung cancer screening tools will soon be accessible across all District Hospitals and PHCs, underscoring Goa's commitment to holistic cancer care."

Goa’s Expansion of Cancer Care Services

Goa currently boasts two district hospitals located in Mapusa (North Goa) and Margao (South Goa), respectively.

With the introduction of AI-powered lung cancer screening tools in these hospitals and PHCs, the state government seeks to leverage technology to enhance healthcare accessibility and early detection of cancer.

Minister Rane emphasized that Goa has emerged as a leader in cancer care, adopting a comprehensive approach that encompasses early detection, accessible treatment, and advanced methodologies.

The implementation of AI-powered lung cancer screening tools aligns with the state's commitment to providing top-tier cancer care to its residents.

As part of its cancer care initiatives, Goa's state-run PHCs provide free breast cancer screening, ensuring timely intervention for patients.

Highlighting Goa Medical College's efforts, Minister Rane mentioned that the institution offers the Pertuzumab-Trastuzumab combo therapy free of cost for patients with HER2+ breast cancer.

This therapy, targeted at cancers that test positive for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), aims to provide accessible and effective treatment options to affected individuals.

Upcoming Multi-Super-Specialty Cancer Hospital

Minister Rane also revealed plans for a multi-super-specialty cancer hospital in collaboration with Tata Memorial, promising top-tier care for cancer patients in Goa.

This upcoming facility signifies an advancement in the state's healthcare infrastructure and underscores its commitment to providing advanced medical services.

In a separate announcement, Minister Rane highlighted the success of the Ayushman Bharat initiative in Goa. Over 7.5 Lakh Ayushman Bharat accounts have been created in the state, ensuring comprehensive healthcare coverage for its citizens.

"This significant milestone holds the promise of immense benefits for the people of our state. By providing access to comprehensive healthcare coverage through Ayushman Bharat accounts, the government is ensuring that every citizen has the opportunity to receive quality medical treatment without the burden of financial constraints," Rane stated.

In a similar development, in October last year, the Karnataka government entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with AstraZeneca Pharma India to implement AI-based lung cancer screening technology.

This technology, developed by healthtech startup 'Qure.ai', can screen patients for 29 different lung diseases in a single chest X-ray. The primary goal of this initiative is to address a critical early detection challenge by identifying lung nodules, which can be precursors to lung cancer.