Sat Feb 22 15:50:00 UTC 2025: ## India’s Slow Response to AI-Powered TB Screening Hampers Elimination Goal

**New Delhi, February 22, 2025** – India’s ambitious goal of eliminating tuberculosis (TB) by 2025 is facing a significant hurdle due to the slow adoption of AI-powered chest X-ray screening tools, despite their proven efficacy and cost-effectiveness.

While two indigenously developed AI solutions, qXR and Genki, have received positive assessments from the Health Technology Assessment of India (HTAIn) committee and the Medical Technology Assessment Board (MTAB), the Central TB Division (CTD) has yet to integrate them into its national program. This inaction stands in stark contrast to the CTD’s decision to recommend the use of another AI tool, DeepCXR, without a full HTA assessment.

The delay in implementing qXR and Genki is particularly concerning given their proven high accuracy (over 90% sensitivity and 70% specificity for qXR) and cost-effectiveness (₹30 per screening for qXR, ₹22 for Genki). Both tools have already been deployed in numerous sites globally and across several Indian states. In contrast, despite claims of high accuracy, the DeepCXR tool lacks published research supporting its performance in real-world settings. Furthermore, the CTD’s communication to states regarding DeepCXR has been indirect and lacked clear direction.

The slow pace of adoption is alarming considering that chest X-rays are crucial for detecting TB, accounting for a significant percentage of diagnoses in recent surveys. AI-assisted interpretation drastically reduces screening time and cost, making it ideal for resource-constrained environments.

Experts express serious concern over the CTD’s seemingly disinterest in rapidly deploying effective solutions, potentially jeopardizing the government’s TB elimination target. The lack of transparency and the inconsistent approach to adopting AI technologies underscore the need for a more efficient and data-driven strategy in tackling this public health challenge.

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