Goa: AI-driven Lung Cancer Screening Tools to Reach District Hospitals and PHCs

Goa's Health Minister announces AI-powered lung cancer screening tools for all district hospitals and health centers, further enhancing the state's cancer care capabilities.

Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has said patients will soon have access to Artificial Intelligence-powered lung cancer screening tools across all the district hospitals and primary health centres (PHCs) in the state.

The state has two district hospitals - one each at Mapusa in North Goa and Margao in South Goa.

In a post on his X handle on Saturday, Rane said, ''Embracing innovation, AI-powered lung cancer screening tools will soon be accessible across all District Hospitals and PHCs, underscoring Goa's commitment to holistic cancer care.'' Goa has emerged as a leader in cancer care with a comprehensive approach aimed at early detection, accessible treatment and advanced methodologies, he said.

Spearheading the initiative, the state-run PHCs offer free breast cancer screening, ensuring timely intervention, the minister said.

Additionally, the Goa Medical College provides the Pertuzumab-Trastuzumab combo therapy free of cost for the patients of HER2+ breast cancer (that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2), he said.

Rane also said that a ''groundbreaking multi-super-specialty cancer hospital, in collaboration with the Tata Memorial, is on the horizon, promising top-tier care.''