Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a significant boost to public health efforts, the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) in Goa has conducted over 92,500 lung cancer screenings, nearing the milestone of one lakh under its Early Lung Cancer Detection Programme.
The initiative, launched in June 2024, is a joint effort between the Goa government, AstraZeneca India, and Qure.ai, aimed at enhancing early diagnosis through artificial intelligence (AI). Using Qure.ai’s AI-based X-ray analysis system, the programme screens patients for early signs of lung cancer across 17 DHS centres in the State.
To date, the system has detected more than 3,100 nodules, with 143 classified as high-risk, and one confirmed lung cancer case identified through follow-up CT scans and biopsies.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, in a post on social media platform X, reiterated the State’s commitment to making Goa cancer-free and said the government remains focused on integrating cutting-edge technology into public healthcare.
The collaboration between DHS, AstraZeneca, and Qure.ai was formalised through an MoU, which has recently been renewed for two more years to continue advancing cancer detection and treatment initiatives.
Officials said the AI-based screening drive is part of a broader strategy to embed technology-driven diagnostics in Goa’s health infrastructure, helping ensure earlier intervention and improved survival rates.
With 1,400–1,500 new cancer cases reported annually in Goa, authorities expect to cross the one-lakh screening mark within weeks, underscoring the programme’s growing impact on preventive healthcare.
