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Andhra Pradesh Launches AI Pilot for Diabetic Retinopathy
10 Jun
Summary
- AI-assisted screening for diabetic retinopathy launched in Guntur.
- Pilot project to screen 9,000 people over three months.
- AI allows optometrists to screen patients without specialists.
The Department of Health in Andhra Pradesh has initiated a pilot project to deploy AI-assisted screening for diabetic retinopathy. Launched on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at the Government General Hospital in Guntur, this initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance AI adoption in healthcare.
The AI system analyzes retinal images captured by fundus cameras, assessing the severity of diabetic retinopathy and advising on the necessity and urgency of specialist consultation. This technology, developed by the Wadhwani AI Foundation and available through the Madhunetra app, is already in use across 45 government medical colleges nationwide.
Following the Guntur launch, similar services are scheduled to commence at the Regional Hospital in Kurnool on June 13, 2026, and the Government Regional Eye Hospital in Visakhapatnam on June 16, 2026. The three-month pilot aims to screen approximately 9,000 individuals.
This AI integration is expected to significantly improve accessibility to diabetic retinopathy screening. Previously, diagnosis relied heavily on the availability of retinal specialists and fundus cameras in specific facilities. Now, with AI, optometrists at primary care centers can conduct screenings effectively, even in the absence of specialist doctors.
