AstraZeneca Pharma India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Telangana, to deploy AI-enabled lung cancer screening across public healthcare facilities in the state. The initiative integrates Qure.ai’s AI-powered chest X-ray solution to detect high-risk pulmonary nodules and 29 other lung conditions, enabling early diagnosis and better patient outcomes in both urban and rural areas.
Glimpse:
The partnership addresses the rising cancer burden in Telangana, where 46,762 new adult cancer cases are projected in 2026, rising to 47,314 by 2030. The AI tool will be implemented in 20 public health facilities initially and will help triage high risk patients for further diagnostic confirmation or follow up. It also includes training and upskilling of healthcare professionals. Similar AI screening models have already been adopted in Goa, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
AstraZeneca Pharma India has partnered with the Telangana government to strengthen early detection of lung cancer through artificial intelligence in public hospitals. The MoU aims to integrate advanced AI technology into routine clinical workflows, making screening more accessible and effective, especially in rural and underserved regions where late diagnosis remains a major challenge due to low awareness and limited resources.
The initiative will use Qure.ai’s AI-powered chest X-ray solution, which can detect high risk pulmonary nodules (a common precursor to lung cancer) along with 29 other lung conditions in a single scan. The system assists clinicians in quickly identifying high risk cases and prioritising them for further evaluation, thereby enabling earlier intervention and improving survival rates.
Telangana is witnessing a steady rise in cancer incidence. According to the Telangana Cancer Burden Profile 2026 by ICMR-NCDIR, the state is projected to record 46,762 new adult cancer cases in 2026, increasing to 47,314 by 2030. In Hyderabad alone, one in six women and one in eight men face cancer risks. By embedding AI into public healthcare facilities, the collaboration seeks to bridge gaps in screening uptake and capacity.
The program will initially cover 20 public health facilities across urban and rural areas. It also includes comprehensive training for healthcare professionals and necessary infrastructure support. This model has previously been implemented successfully in states like Goa, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
“Telangana is witnessing a steady rise in cancer cases, and late diagnosis due to limited screening uptake remains a major challenge. This collaboration integrates technology into routine public healthcare to bridge gaps in access and capacity and reflects our continued focus on building a more proactive, future ready health system.”
By
HB Team
