Punjab Government Signs MoU with CHRI to Strengthen Public Healthcare Through Artificial Intelligence
AI-Driven Health Screening Initiative Launched in Patiala, Mohali and Fatehgarh Sahib
In a major step towards technology-driven healthcare, the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for Health Research and Innovation (CHRI) to enhance and modernize the state’s public health infrastructure through Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The MoU was signed in the presence of Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh. The collaboration aims to bring advanced AI-enabled healthcare solutions to the grassroots level, improving disease screening, early diagnosis, and overall health outcomes for citizens across the state.
Pilot Project to Focus on Early Detection of Cardiac and Respiratory Diseases
As part of the pilot programme, innovative AI-powered healthcare technologies will be deployed in three districts—Patiala, SAS Nagar (Mohali), and Fatehgarh Sahib. The initiative is designed to strengthen mass health screenings and facilitate the early detection of cardiac and respiratory conditions among the population.
The project will utilize advanced AI-based ECG devices and AI-enabled stethoscopes to support healthcare workers in identifying high-risk patients at an early stage and ensuring timely medical intervention.
AI ECG Devices and Digital Stethoscopes to Enhance Screening
Explaining the initiative, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh said the programme will deploy the Sunfox Spandan ECG device to enable rapid cardiac assessments and help identify individuals who require urgent referrals, particularly those at risk of serious heart-related complications.
Additionally, AI-enabled digital stethoscopes (AI Steth) will be used to screen children for cardiac abnormalities, supporting early diagnosis and timely referrals for specialist treatment when necessary.
Training Healthcare Workers for Seamless Technology Integration
The initiative also includes comprehensive training for healthcare providers to ensure effective use of the specialized AI technologies in routine healthcare services. The partnership is expected to generate valuable insights and implementation learnings that could guide the future expansion of AI-enabled healthcare solutions across Punjab’s health system.
Punjab Aims to Lead AI-Powered Healthcare Transformation
Highlighting the significance of the project, Dr Balbir Singh stated that the initiative will enable faster, smarter, and more accurate mass health screenings, leading to early detection of critical cardiac conditions. He emphasized that the programme is not only about introducing advanced medical devices but also about strengthening frontline healthcare capacity, improving referral systems, and building evidence for statewide implementation.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to innovation in healthcare, the minister said that technology is transforming healthcare delivery and Punjab is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation through AI-powered public health solutions.
