Andhra Pradesh Pilots ‘Swaasa’ AI App for Early TB Detection

The healthcare sector is undergoing a major transformation with the rapid adoption of Artificial Intelligence , enabling faster and more accessible diagnosis of life-threatening diseases. In a significant breakthrough, Tuberculosis (TB) , which once required multiple laboratory tests and days of waiting, can now be detected through a simple cough recorded on a smartphone. Hyderabad-based startup Salcit Technologies has developed an AI-powered platform, Swaasa , that is emerging as a game-changer in rural healthcare .

The innovative project was launched in East Godavari district as part of the MedTech Innovation Challenge 2025 , with support from the Andhra Pradesh government and the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub. Under the initiative, health workers are visiting villages and recording cough sounds of residents through a mobile application. Within minutes, the AI platform analyses the recordings and assesses the risk of TB along with other respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD.

The pilot programme has already delivered promising results. Over the past six weeks, nearly 8,000 people were screened under the initiative. Officials revealed that the platform successfully identified around 36 percent of TB cases that conventional screening methods had failed to detect. The technology is also capable of identifying infections at an early stage , even among people without visible symptoms, thereby helping authorities curb the spread of the disease more effectively. Compared to traditional diagnostic methods, TB detection rates reportedly improved by nearly 15 percent .

Individuals identified as high-risk during screening are being referred for advanced tests, including X-rays , spirometry and NAAT examinations, under government supervision. They are also being provided free treatment and medicines. The entire process has been integrated with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and linked to Nikshay, enabling continuous monitoring of patients through digital health records.

One of the biggest advantages of the technology is that the screening process is completely non-invasive . There is no need for injections, radiation exposure or repeated hospital visits. The tests can be conducted free of cost from the comfort of one’s home, making the service particularly beneficial for labourers, elderly citizens and residents of remote villages. Encouraged by the success of the pilot project, the Andhra Pradesh government is now considering a statewide expansion of the service to strengthen early disease detection and improve public healthcare access.