Punjab has launched first-of-its-kind Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled screening devices for early detection of breast cancer, cervical cancer and refractive errors. According to ICMR’s National Cancer Registry Programme, 42,288 new cancer cases have been reported in Punjab in 2024, which is a 7 per cent increase from the previous year of 2023. Whereas, as per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) data, only 0.3 per cent of women aged 30 to 49 have ever been screened for breast cancer, and just 2.4 per cent for cervical cancer in the state.

Punjab Health Minister, Dr Balbir Singh, said that to reverse these trends, the AI-based devices have been launched, which will be used in primary health settings with an aim to conduct at least 600 eye check-ups and 300 breast and cervical cancer screenings per day for early detection.