India has rolled out AI-powered, battery-operated portable X-ray machines nationwide as part of its intensified efforts under the National TB Elimination Program. These devices can perform over 150 scans daily, delivering results in under 5 seconds with ~90% accuracy, considerably speeding up tuberculosis detection in remote and high-risk areas such as Uttar Pradesh, Puducherry, West Bengal, and Delhi
⚡ 5 Key Benefits & Impacts
1️⃣ Massive scalability & mobility
Lightweight (1.8 – 2.8 kg), battery-powered units eliminate the need for clinic-based infrastructure. Easily carried to villages, slums, PHCs, and TB camps via mobile vans .
2️⃣ High-speed diagnosis
Built-in AI analyzes chest scans almost instantly. If TB signs are detected, patients undergo confirmatory molecular testing (NAAT), enabling same-day initiation of treatment NewsBytes
3️⃣ Clinical accuracy & safety
With around 90% accuracy and reduced radiation dose (2–3 mA vs 300 mA conventional), these machines support safer, widespread screening
4️⃣ Cost-effective & indigenous production
Thanks to manufacturing by IIT Kanpur–ICMR partnerships and licensed firms like Mylab and LabIndia, costs have dropped to one-third compared to imported systems, scaling deployment
5️⃣ Thanks to multi-state rollouts
Campaigns in states including Uttar Pradesh (over 6.8 lakh cases notified), Puducherry, West Bengal, and Delhi have showcased the real-world effectiveness and reach of this technology
🔭 What’s Next
- Scaling nationwide under the 100‑day intensified TB clearance campaigns.
- Deploying 21 units in Delhi’s slums, aiming to screen 40 lakh people with fast-track follow-ups
- Regulatory validation: More machines are being ICMR-validated, ensuring robust diagnostics
- AI integration evolution: Future upgrades could include edge deployment, multi-disease detection, and offline analysis.
✅ Bottom Line
By introducing lightweight, AI-powered portable X-ray devices with real-time analysis, India is revolutionizing TB detection—making diagnostics faster, safer, and locally accessible. As this technology scales, it could dramatically reduce TB prevalence and set a new standard in public health diagnostics.
