Punjab has become the first state in India to roll out artificial intelligence (AI)-based screening for cancer and eye diseases at primary health centres in eight districts, marking a major milestone in digital health innovation. Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh inaugurated this pioneering initiative in Chandigarh, implemented with the support of ACT Grants and the Bhaskar News network.
Portable, radiation-free devices powered by AI will screen for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and eye refractive errors. Five Thermolytics machines for breast cancer, ten Smart Scope devices for cervical screening, and twenty handheld auto-refractometers for vision tests are being used across targeted districts. These districts are Amritsar, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, Faridkot, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Testing is free of cost, requires no health card, and provides digital reports within minutes on-screen and official reports within 24 hours.
According to Dr. Balbir Singh, timely screening will help combat Punjab’s rising cancer cases. He cited ICMR Cancer Registry Program data, stating Punjab reported 42,288 new cancer cases in 2024 – a 7% increase from 2023. Despite the high burden, as per NFHS-5, only 0.3% of Punjab’s women aged 30-49 had ever been screened for breast cancer and just 2.4% for cervical cancer. The new initiative aims to improve these alarming statistics by screening at least 600 people for eye exams and 300 for breast and cervical cancer each day.
Testing is done in private cabins with laptops and cameras, with no radiation exposure. Only the patient enters the screening room.
Breast and cervical cancer screening devices have been established in the Amritsar, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Sangrur districts for coverage in major areas of early cancer detection. Portable auto-refractometers have been established for refractive error testing in Amritsar, Ludhiana, Faridkot, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur to reach more people with vision screening. Every screening center has two program managers, two government-appointed optometrists, two patient navigators, and one device operator in order to run smoothly and effectively care for patients.
This AI-driven public health model sets a new standard in preventive healthcare, ensuring timely disease detection and streamlined patient care without financial barriers or radiation risk for Punjab’s citizens.