Samastipur: A large tuberculosis (TB) screening campaign conducted at Ayushman Arogya camps has found 1,264 new patients across the state. The Health Department said the drive used modern handheld X-ray machines fitted with artificial intelligence to quickly scan and identify possible TB cases. Officials said the aim is to find patients early and reduce the spread of the disease.
The campaign was carried out between March 24 and May 7. During this period, 288 health camps were set up in different areas, and special screening was also done in 312 villages considered high-risk. In total, 18,803 people were tested. The large-scale effort helped health workers reach people in both rural and remote locations.
One important result of the drive was the detection of five patients who did not show any clear symptoms of TB. These cases were identified only because of the AI-based scanning system. Doctors said this shows the importance of early screening, as many people may carry the infection without knowing it.
District TB Officer Dr NK Chaudhary said the goal of the programme is to move the country closer to being TB-free by reducing both infections and deaths. He added that modern technology is being used more widely to make diagnosis faster and more accurate.
The Health Department has deployed 104 portable AI-based X-ray machines across the state. An agency has been assigned to operate and manage them. Officials also said these machines are safer than traditional X-rays because they use much lower radiation. Experts believe this technology will help detect TB earlier and improve treatment outcomes, especially in rural areas.
