Team Goemkarponn
MIRAMAR: In a pioneering move to strengthen early detection and intervention for lung cancer in Goa, the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), under the leadership of Health MinisterVishwajit Rane, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AstraZeneca and Qure.ai.
This extension marks another two years of collaboration under the Early Lung Cancer Detection Program, aimed at transforming public health outcomes using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in radiology.
Launched in June 2024, the AI-enabled Early Lung Cancer Detection Program has shown promising results. Over 33,800 chest X-rays have been screened across 17 DHS centers using Qure.ai’s advanced AI technology, leading to the identification of 3,144 nodules, of which 143 were classified as high-risk. This systematic and tech-enabled approach has already led to the confirmation of one lung cancer case through a closed-loop pathway involving chest physician review, CT scan confirmation, and biopsy.
Speaking at the event, Health Minister Shri Vishwajit Rane said:
“Our vision has always been to bring cutting-edge solutions to Goa’s public health system. With the successful deployment of AI-powered tools for early lung cancer detection, we are witnessing a real impact in terms of faster diagnosis and more effective referrals. Extending our partnership with AstraZeneca and Qure.ai is a reaffirmation of our commitment to innovative and preventive healthcare. We will continue to work towards creating a robust ecosystem that ensures timely detection, diagnosis, and treatment for all Goans. We want to work towards reducing cancer related deaths in Goa, by early detection and prevention, hence we are having Mega Medical Camps across the state, and Cancer detection Abhiyan.”
One of the key highlights of the program has been the deployment of Nurse Navigators who provide consistent support and guidance to high-risk patients, ensuring end-to-end follow-up from screening to diagnosis. The program has also effectively established a strong referral mechanism, integrating physicians, specialists, and diagnostic facilities for timely clinical intervention.
The renewed MoU is expected to further scale this initiative, with plans to expand screening, enhance patient tracking, and integrate new training modules for healthcare workers across DHS centers.
