AP to deploy AI-Powered X-Ray devices for rapid TB detection

The govt plans to deploy these devices in 4,126 TB hotspot villages. In these villages, nearly 71 lakh individuals above 14 years will undergo free screening

Metro India News | AMARAVATI 

In a major step towards early detection and elimination of tuberculosis (TB), the Andhra Pradesh government is set to deploy AI-enabled handheld X-ray machines capable of identifying suspected cases within two minutes. Announcing the initiative on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav said the state will procure 100 advanced devices at a cost of Rs 20 crore through tenders.

The handheld machines, designed like portable units weighing around 12 kg, will allow health teams to conduct doorstep screenings. Using digital imaging and artificial intelligence, the machines can generate X-ray results within 30 seconds, followed by an automated diagnostic report. Each screening takes approximately two minutes, enabling rapid large-scale testing.

The government plans to deploy these devices in 4,126 TB hotspot villages identified by the Central TB Division. In these villages, nearly 71 lakh individuals aged above 14 years will undergo free screening, irrespective of symptoms. Officials estimate that for every 100 people screened, around 25% may be flagged as suspected cases, with nearly 5% likely to be confirmed as TB patients after further testing.

Tuberculosis (TB) detection has largely relied on patients visiting hospitals or referrals from frontline workers, often delaying early diagnosis. A new initiative shifts focus to active, community-level screening to improve early detection and treatment outcomes.

Health officials said 47 similar devices supplied earlier showed promising results, leading to expansion. The new AI-enabled machines can operate offline, unlike previous models that required internet, making them suitable for remote areas.

Screening will be conducted at Ayushman Arogya Mandir centres across villages. With over 10,000 such centres in Andhra Pradesh, they will serve as key hubs for testing and awareness campaigns, improving accessibility and outreach.

Data from the health department indicates that the state reported 78,416 TB cases in 2025, with an incidence rate of 146 cases per lakh population. So far in 2026, 16,727 cases have been identified, while nearly 40,000 patients are currently undergoing treatment. Encouragingly, the state has achieved a 95.5% recovery rate, reflecting improvements in treatment protocols and monitoring.

District-wise analysis shows that Anakapalli has the highest number of hotspot villages (612), followed by Srikakulam (374) and Vizianagaram (317). On the lower end, districts like Guntur (47) and Visakhapatnam (54)reported fewer hotspots.

Additionally, the Centre has identified 1,118 villages as ‘TB-Free Panchayats’ based on strict parameters including testing coverage, case detection, and nutritional support under schemes like Nikshay Mitra, through which 22,788 nutrition kits were distributed in 2025.