Desk Correspondent , Amaravati - A pilot in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari district has successfully utilized a smatphone-based AI platform to identify potential Tuberculosis (TB) and respiratory illnesses. In collaboration with the state government and the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub,the HYderabad-based startup Salcit Technologies deployed its "Swaasa" app to screen nearly 8,000 people over six weeks. The initiative aims to provide accessible diagnostic tools to remote rural populations where traditional medical screening is often delayed.

The screening process involves Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) recording a patient's cough sound via a mobile app, which then uses Artificial Intelligence to analyze respiratory patterns. This non-invasive method provides instant risk stratification for TB, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and asthma. According to project data, the AI-driven approach improved the TB diagnostic yield by 30% compared to conventional active case-finding methods and successfully identified cases in many asymptomatic individuals.

Health officials noted that the platform demonstrated 87-90% of accuracy rate when compared to clinical spirometry tests. Integrated with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, the system allows for seamless patient registration and follow-up care. Following the success of this pilot, Salcit Technologies plans to expand the model across multiple districts to strengthen the national "TB Mukt Abhiyaan" initiative and ensure early intervention for vulnerable communities.