Key Highlights

  • Big Gathering in Jaipur: Over 2,000 pulmonologists and respiratory experts attended the 28th Joint Annual National Conference of NCCP-I and ICS in Jaipur from October 22 to 25.
  • Earlier Detection: Former AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria said AI can help identify suspicious findings on chest X-rays and CT scans.
  • TB Screening Boost: Experts said AI software can flag TB-related patterns on X-rays and help prioritise patients for further tests.
  • Reaching Remote Areas: The technology could be especially useful in underserved regions, primary health centres and mobile screening programmes.
  • Lung Cancer Support: AI algorithms can help doctors spot suspicious lung nodules on CT scans that need further evaluation.

Artificial intelligence could become a powerful ally in India’s fight against tuberculosis (TB) and lung cancer by helping doctors detect these diseases earlier and screen patients more efficiently, experts said on Sunday.

The subject was a major focus at the 28th Joint Annual National Conference of the National College of Chest Physicians, India (NCCP-I), and the Indian Chest Society (ICS), held in Jaipur from October 22 to 25. The event brought together more than 2,000 pulmonologists, respiratory physicians, researchers and healthcare professionals from India and abroad.

Former AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria said AI has the potential to reshape how respiratory diseases are identified and managed. “Artificial intelligence has the potential to change how we approach the early detection of respiratory diseases. By helping identify suspicious findings on chest X-rays and CT scans, AI can support doctors in making faster, more informed decisions and directing patients towards timely investigations,” he said.

“For a country like India, where the burden of TB and lung cancer is substantial, this technology could make a meaningful difference when combined with clinical expertise,” he added.

How AI Could Help on the Ground

Experts at the conference said AI-driven software can analyse chest X-rays and identify patterns linked to tuberculosis, helping healthcare workers decide which patients need further testing first. This could be particularly valuable in underserved regions, primary health centres and mobile screening programmes, where specialist radiologists are often not available.

Dr Raj Kumar, Director of the Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute in Delhi, said AI-assisted chest X-ray screening can significantly improve the reach and efficiency of TB detection programmes.

The discussions also covered lung cancer, where early diagnosis greatly improves treatment options. Experts said advanced algorithms can assist doctors in reviewing CT scans, spotting suspicious lung nodules and flagging abnormalities that may need further evaluation.

A key message from the experts was that AI works best as a support for doctors, not a replacement. Dr Guleria himself stressed that the technology makes a difference “when combined with clinical expertise”. In a country where many TB and lung cancer cases are diagnosed late, partly because patients in rural areas lack quick access to specialists, an AI tool that flags a worrying X-ray at a local health centre could mean the difference between early treatment and a delayed diagnosis. For patients, the advice remains unchanged: a persistent cough, unexplained weight loss, coughing up blood or breathlessness should never be ignored and needs prompt medical attention.

(With inputs from IANS)