Google join hands with Apollo, to offer AI-powered early disease screening in India

Key Highlights

• Apollo Radiology International will be using Google’s AI models to help Indian patients with lung, breast, and tuberculosis get better care.
• The tech giant is said to provide free screenings over the next 10 years.

Google Health and Apollo Radiology International have announced a new partnership to provide early disease screening in India using artificial intelligence (AI). The tech giant will provide access to its AI stack for early disease detection like breast cancer, lung cancer, and TB to Apollo. Check out the details below.

Google at its annual The Check Up event announced that it is collaborating with Apollo Radiology International for artificial intelligence (AI)-powered early disease screening in India. According to Google Health Apollo Radiology International will be using its AI models to help Indian patients with lung, breast, and tuberculosis get better care. In addition to this, over the following ten years, free screenings will also be offered.

“One of our biggest opportunities with AI in healthcare is the ability to increase access to high-quality, equitable care across the globe. Radiology is one area where expertise is critical to patient outcomes, but there aren’t always enough radiologists to meet patients’ needs. This is a situation where AI can make a difference. Our newest collaboration with Apollo Radiology International in India is building on these AI advancements in healthcare and bringing them to communities across the country,” Google said.

Tuberculosis (TB) can be cured, but treatment delays cause the illness to spread across the population and progress to the point where victims die from it. A frequent way to test for the condition is using chest X-rays, however, in rural areas and other places with limited access to hospitals and healthcare facilities, tuberculosis is typically diagnosed using tests that are not readily available. In order to aid in the early detection of tuberculosis Google has created an AI system to analyse chest X-ray scans.

Also Read: Lenovo Legion 5i, Legion 7i, Legion Pro 5i and Legion Pro 7i AI-powered laptops launched in India

Whereas, specialised screening and medical knowledge are also needed for the analysis of scans related to breast and lung cancer and Lung cancer ranks among the primary causes of cancer-related deaths in India.

“There is no nationalised screening program for high-risk individuals to try to catch the disease early, when treatment is most effective. Lung cancer can also be identified incidentally if a patient happens to get a scan for some other reason.”

But AI is said to help on both fronts, making screening more broadly accessible and providing an additional check to identify incidental nodules and follow-up as needed as per the company.

Also in India Breast cancer detection is not generally available, and there is a dearth of radiologists with the necessary training. With regard to mammography analysis: AI may be able to help radiologists in India with screening.

Also Read: Krafton announced Battlegrounds Mobile India Series (BGIS) 2024

By using these models, Google aims to enable Apollo Radiology International and hundreds of thousands more individuals in India to receive timely care by offering 3 million free AI-powered screenings for breast cancer, lung cancer, and tuberculosis for the next ten years.