CHENNAI: Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital is working with Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) to develop artificial intelligence. Software Red flag renal calculi to assist the technician (Kidney stones) or identify malignant tumors in the breasts, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramaniam said on Friday.
The radiology department of the Medical College Hospital was on Friday upgraded to the Institute of Radiodiagnosis – the second such institute in the state after the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.
“The institute will have the infrastructure and experts to carry out high-tech treatment and diagnosis. It will also be a center of excellence for teaching and research,” Subramaniam said.
The institute, which has published 38 research papers in national and international peer-reviewed journals, offers unique diagnostic methods for infertility and cancer, reducing the chances of misdiagnosis. Diagnostic cost for specific tests like iron content in liver in private centers is Rs. 25,000 as against Rs. 2,500 is.
“Interim results of the kidney stone software we are developing show promising results,” said senior radiologist Dr J Devi Meenal. “This new AI software works like a triaging system and is useful in small towns and centres. Until now, technicians have been able to identify kidney stones without missing them. Once it is red-flagged, it will be top priority and confirmed online by doctors,” she said.
The Health Minister inaugurated the Investigation and Complaints Center at the hospital. A coordinator will be at reception to handle questions and complaints from patients, attendees and visitors. Each state-run medical college hospital and district headquarters hospital will have similar centres, he said. By April, the state JICA-funded hospital constructed at Rs. 128 crore will open the building, Subramaniam said.
The state will request the Center to sanction six more medical colleges – one each in Perambalur, Myladuthurai, Tirupathur, Ranipet, Kanchipuram and Thenkasi districts. It will also seek permission to start nursing colleges in each district.
Subramaniam and a team of officials will meet Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in Delhi and press for completion of construction at AIIMS, Madurai. “We will also meet AYUSH Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to upgrade Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha colleges in the state,” he said.
