Punjab signs MoU to deploy AI-driven technologies in healthcare

Chandigarh: Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Health Research and Innovation (CHRI) to transform and strengthen the state's public health infrastructure.  

The MoU was signed in the presence of Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh. 

The partnership aims to bring cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence directly to the grassroots, exploring the role of innovative technologies in strengthening healthcare services and improving health outcomes for citizens.

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As part of this pilot project, innovative AI-enabled technologies will be deployed across three districts of Punjab—Patiala, SAS Nagar (Mohali), and Fatehgarh Sahib—to strengthen mass health screenings and early detection of cardiac and respiratory conditions.  

Detailing the technology, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh said that under this initiative, advanced AI-based ECG devices and AI stethoscopes will be deployed. This includes the Sunfox Spandan ECG device to support rapid cardiac assessment and help identify individuals requiring urgent referral, particularly those at risk of serious cardiac events, he said, while adding that, additionally, an AI-enabled digital stethoscope (AI Steth) will be used to strengthen the screening of children for cardiac abnormalities and support timely referral for specialist evaluation and treatment, reports IANS.

Under the programme, healthcare providers will be trained to use the specialized technologies, ensuring that innovation is seamlessly and effectively integrated into routine service delivery. The partnership will also help generate valuable implementation learnings to inform the future adoption of AI-enabled technologies across the entire health system of Punjab.

Speaking about the impact of the project, Dr Balbir Singh highlighted, "This means faster, smarter, and highly accurate mass health screenings for our people, enabling the early detection of critical cardiac issues. This initiative is not only about deploying advanced devices; it is about strengthening frontline healthcare capacity, improving referral pathways, and generating evidence for future scale-up across the state.”

Highlighting the government's commitment to tech-empowered healthcare, Dr Balbir Singh said that technology is changing the way we care, and Punjab is leading the charge.

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