It takes a minute to get screened by X-ray and get the report (from AI-enabled computer-aided detection). Then for those with presumptive TB, they can get a confirmatory TB report in next hour or so - if portable WHO- and ICMR-recommended molecular test Truenat is used in the same TB screening and testing camp.
Ending TB warrants not only finding all people with TB - with early and accurate diagnosis - and linking them to care - but also about breaking down those critical diagnostic logjams and bottlenecks that make healthcare services inaccessible for most marginalised.
WHO as well as India's guidelines clearly state that all those found with presumptive TB using X-Rays (or symptomatic screening) should be offered WHO-recommended upfront molecular test. Those with active TB disease should get latest TB treatment therapy with social support so that they can get cured.
TB infection also stops spreading when a person with the disease is on effective treatment.
India deployed AI to find TB among the most marginalised
Following science and evidence, for 100 days (7 December 2024 to 24 March 2025), government of India launched a massive campaign to find, treat and prevent more TB among high-risk groups in 347 districts initially. During this campaign, later it was expanded to almost 500 districts out of around 800 in the nation.
As per the concept note of this 100 days #TBMuktBharat (#TBFreeIndia) government campaign, battery operated ultraportable and handheld X-ray machines with artificial intelligence enabled computer-aided detection along with highly sensitive portable, battery-operated and laboratory independent molecular test Truenat (made in India by Molbio Diagnostics) machines were to be taken in a van closer to the TB high-risk groups.
This was game-changing shift from screening those who had TB symptoms to screening everyone in high-risk settings because almost half of TB patients are asymptomatic if we find them with X-ray early on.
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