The Andhra Pradesh government has initiated a pilot project to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into public healthcare, focusing on screening diabetic patients for retinopathy. The project has been launched at government hospitals in Guntur, Kurnool, and Visakhapatnam.
How the AI System Works
Under this initiative, retinal images captured through fundus cameras will be analyzed by an AI-powered application named Madhunetra. This system can identify the presence and severity of retinopathy and indicate whether a patient requires consultation with a specialist. Officials believe this technology will address the shortage of retinal specialists and expand screening services to a larger patient base.
Government's Vision
Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav announced the initiative on Wednesday, stating, “The AI-based system would help detect diabetic retinopathy at an early stage and facilitate timely treatment, thereby preventing vision loss among diabetic patients.”
Current Challenges and Benefits
Currently, diabetic retinopathy screening is only possible in hospitals equipped with fundus cameras and retinal specialists. With AI-assisted diagnosis, trained optometrists can conduct screenings and identify patients needing further treatment, ensuring early intervention. According to health department officials, nearly 20% of diabetic patients develop eye-related complications such as reduced vision, optic nerve damage, and retinal detachment. At Guntur GGH alone, around 3,000 diabetic patients visit every month, with 15-20% diagnosed with retinopathy-related conditions.
Project Timeline and Targets
The pilot project commenced at GGH on Wednesday. Similar screening services will be launched at the Regional Hospital in Kurnool on June 13 and the Regional Eye Hospital in Visakhapatnam on June 16. The programme will run for three months, during which the government aims to screen approximately 9,000 diabetic patients across the three centres.
Development and Collaboration
The AI solution was developed by the Wadhwani Foundation in collaboration with AIIMS Delhi and AIIMS Rishikesh under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The technology has been trained using retinal data from nearly 13,000 patients and is already deployed in several institutions, including AIIMS Bibinagar and AIIMS Raipur.
Future Expansion
Officials noted that AI-based diabetic retinopathy screening is currently being implemented in 45 government medical colleges across multiple states. Based on the outcome of the Andhra Pradesh pilot project, the government will consider expanding the technology to more hospitals across the state.
