The Institute of Heart and Lung Diseases (IHLD), in collaboration with the Indian arm of South Korean firm Krafton, has embarked on a noble venture, aligning with the ambitious objectives of the Prime Minister's TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

This collaboration signifies a crucial stride in the fight against tuberculosis (TB), utilising the collective resources of Krafton India and IHLD for implementation. During its initial phase, the initiative is to conduct active case finding programmes in one district of Uttarakhand (UK) and one district of Uttar Pradesh (UP).

Dr Rahul Chandola, Founder-Chairman of the Institute of Heart Lung Diseases (IHLD) Research Centre said, “Through this partnership, IHLD endeavours to screen approximately 1 lakh individuals over the next 12 months. Moreover, the aim is to increase TB detection by 10-15% in the target districts that are currently not accounted for in the existing system, significantly bolstering efforts towards disease surveillance and management.”

Innovative approaches are integral to the success of TB Mukt Bharat. Dr Chandola highlighted the utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI)-supported X-ray machines for initial screening, enabling swift and accurate identification of potential TB cases, thereby enabling a huge chunk of the population infected with tuberculosis to be identified. This technological intervention not only streamlines the screening process but also enhances the effectiveness of early detection, a crucial aspect in combating the spread of tuberculosis.