Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral
The Government of Goa has shared early outcomes from its AI-enabled lung cancer screening programme implemented across the state’s public healthcare system. The initiative integrates artificial intelligence-based chest X-ray analysis into routine clinical workflows at government health facilities, enabling earlier detection of lung abnormalities without requiring additional tests or patient visits.
Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in India, largely due to late-stage diagnosis. Goa’s programme addresses this challenge by automatically reviewing every chest X-ray conducted in public health facilities for early signs of lung abnormalities, even when scans are performed for unrelated clinical reasons. This approach allows clinicians to identify potential lung cancer cases earlier and initiate timely follow-up.
Speaking on the programme, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said the Department of Health has been steadily advancing initiatives focused on early detection, preventive healthcare and cancer screening to strengthen the public healthcare system. He noted that embedding AI into routine diagnostic processes reinforces early detection in a structured and scalable manner, ensuring that advanced technology supports clinical decision-making without adding cost or complexity for patients. He emphasised that early diagnosis must be accessible to all and not limited by geography or affordability.
The programme has been implemented in close coordination with clinicians across Goa’s public health system. Pulmonologists and radiologists from government hospitals have guided the clinical adoption of AI-enabled triaging, ensuring alignment with existing diagnostic pathways and follow-up protocols.
Since deployment, the initiative has analysed 1,06,248 chest X-rays across 18 public healthcare sites in the state. The AI system flagged 10,564 lung nodules, including 1,619 classified as high-risk, enabling clinicians to prioritise patients requiring urgent evaluation. To date, the programme has led to 18 confirmed lung cancer diagnoses and reduced the average time to diagnosis by more than 50 per cent.
Commenting on the initiative, Ankit Modi, Founding Member and Chief Product Officer at Qure.ai, said the programme demonstrates how AI can deliver impact at scale by leveraging existing public healthcare infrastructure. By using routine chest X-rays, the state has enabled earlier identification of lung abnormalities without introducing additional tests or burden on patients, reinforcing the value of clinically guided, system-integrated AI in accelerating diagnosis and care delivery.
Praveen Rao Akkinepally, Country President and Managing Director, AstraZeneca India, described the milestone as a significant achievement for Goa. He said the collaboration highlights a shared commitment to earlier detection and equitable access to healthcare, combining public health leadership, advanced medical science and AI capability to build scalable, data-driven pathways that connect patients to timely care.
The Government of Goa plans to further expand the programme by integrating AI-enabled screening into mobile health units and community outreach services, strengthening early diagnosis and improving cancer care outcomes across the state.
About Qure.ai
Qure.ai is a global AI company innovating diagnostic solutions in healthcare for early detection and care management. Its solutions support early diagnosis in lung cancer, neurology and infectious diseases, helping clinicians prioritise treatment and improve patient outcomes.
Qure.ai operates in over 105 countries, with regional offices in New York, London and Mumbai, and was recognised as a TIME100 Most Influential Company in 2025.
