Sanjeevani AI Mobile Health Unit (AI-MHU)
Early Detection. Lasting Impact.
Taking AI-Enabled Cancer & TB Screening — with Specialist-Validated Results — to the Last Mile
The Sanjeevani AI Mobile Health Unit brings advanced, AI-assisted screening for cancer and tuberculosis directly to underserved communities — with every result reviewed and validated by qualified doctors, radiologists, and pathologists. By combining the reach of Artificial Intelligence with specialist clinical oversight, the programme removes the barriers of distance, cost, and expertise that have long delayed early diagnosis for those who need it most.
Designed as a Public–Private–Philanthropic Partnership (PPPP), the programme combines Artificial Intelligence, mobile diagnostics, telemedicine, and specialist expertise to deliver life-saving screening at the community level, supported by structured referral pathways and patient navigation.
Potential Impact
₹1,000 enables one individual to access comprehensive, AI-assisted screening, specialist review, and referral support.
₹1 Crore enables approximately 10,000 individuals to receive screening, specialist review, and referral support.
Overview
The Sanjeevani AI Mobile Health Unit (AI-MHU) is an initiative of Telerad Foundation designed to bridge the gap between advanced diagnostics and underserved communities.
The programme integrates digital mammography, digital chest X-ray, cervical cancer screening, oral cancer screening, Artificial Intelligence, telemedicine, teleradiology, and structured referral pathways to enable early detection of breast cancer, cervical cancer, oral cancer, and tuberculosis (TB).
Operating as a Public–Private–Philanthropic Partnership, the AI-MHU complements existing government health systems by bringing specialist-grade screening services to communities that would otherwise remain unreached — ensuring not just screening, but expert interpretation, diagnostic confirmation, and treatment linkage where it is needed most.
Crucially, AI serves as the first layer of clinical support — every finding is reviewed and confirmed by qualified specialists before any referral or clinical decision is made.
Background and Rationale
Cancer and tuberculosis remain two of India’s most significant public health challenges. Effective screening and treatment options exist — yet a majority of patients continue to be diagnosed only at advanced stages, when outcomes are far worse and treatment costs far higher.
The reasons are well-understood: diagnostic services are concentrated in urban centres; specialist availability at the rural level is limited; geographic distances, access constraints and economic limitations prevent timely health-seeking; and referral systems remain fragmented. Despite strong national frameworks — the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NPCDCS) and the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) — the challenge of reaching the last mile persists.
The Challenge
- Over 1.78 lakh new breast cancer cases are diagnosed in India every year — many at advanced stages.
- Fewer than 2% of eligible women have ever undergone cervical cancer screening.
- Between 60% and 80% of oral cancer patients are diagnosed late, despite oral cancer being among the most prevalent cancers in the country.
- TB diagnosis is routinely delayed, with many patients seeking care only after prolonged symptoms — worsening outcomes and increasing transmission.
The Sanjeevani AI Mobile Health Unit addresses this gap by bringing screening services to communities — rather than expecting communities to travel to the services.
Introduction to Sanjeevani AI-MHU
The AI Mobile Health Unit is a specially designed 40-foot mobile diagnostic facility equipped with:
Digital Mammography
Digital Chest X-Ray
Cervical Cancer Screening
Oral Cancer Screening
AI-enabled diagnostic decision support
Telemedicine connectivity
Specialist teleradiology reporting
Digital health records and referral tracking
The unit is designed to operate in close partnership with government health facilities, district administrations, frontline health workers, and local communities — strengthening, rather than replacing, public health infrastructure.
Technology & Clinical Partnerships
Telerad Foundation has collaborations with leading institutions to anchor the programme’s technological and clinical foundations:
Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru — for AI-enabled oral cancer screening and breast cancer risk assessment tools developed through cutting-edge research.
Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru — for referral integration, specialist support, and collaborative screening initiatives.
Centralised telemedicine, teleradiology, and AI support will be coordinated through Telerad Foundation’s Bengaluru hub, ensuring quality assurance, specialist oversight, and rapid turnaround for remote clinical review.
AI-Assisted Screening with Specialist Validation
A defining feature of the Sanjeevani AI-MHU is its dual-layer clinical model: every examination is supported by AI-assisted preliminary interpretation and final review and validation by qualified and experienced doctors, radiologists, and pathologists — through Telerad Foundation’s telemedicine and teleradiology network. AI assists; while specialists decide.
The Dual-Layer Clinical Model: AI-Assisted, Specialist-Validated
Combining the speed and reach of AI with the clinical judgment of experienced healthcare professionals.
This AI-plus-specialist model combines the speed and reach of artificial intelligence with the clinical judgement of experienced healthcare professionals — enabling high-quality screening regardless of geography.
| Condition | AI-Assisted Screening | Specialist Validation |
|---|---|---|
| Breast Cancer | Digital mammography with AI-assisted interpretation | Qualified radiologists |
| Cervical Cancer | Pap smear collection with AI-supported screening workflows | Pathologists and gynaecologists |
| Oral Cancer | Visual examination with AI-based clinical decision support | Dental specialists |
| Tuberculosis (TB) | Digital chest X-ray with AI-assisted interpretation | Qualified radiologists |
How the Programme Works
The programme is designed for seamless integration with Karnataka’s public health infrastructure, while placing minimal burden on district health teams.
Operations
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Deployment rosters developed in consultation with NHM Karnataka and District Health Officers (DHOs), aligned with local screening priorities.
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The AI-MHU visits PHCs, CHCs, and government facilities for defined deployment periods.
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Beneficiaries are identified and mobilised through frontline health workers, such as the local institutions, self-help groups, ASHAs, ANMs, and district health teams and through community awareness campaigns.
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Eligible individuals receive services based on age, risk factors, medical history, and clinical assessment.
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Digital reporting systems aligned with NPCDCS, NTEP, and Nikshay requirements.
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Structured referral tracking and follow-up support for screen-positive individuals.
Women may receive
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Breast Cancer Screening (Digital Mammography)
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Cervical Cancer Screening (Pap Smear)
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Oral Cancer Screening
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Tuberculosis Screening (Chest X-Ray)
Men may receive
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Oral Cancer Screening
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Tuberculosis Screening (Chest X-Ray)
AI-Assisted Interpretation & Specialist Review
- AI technologies support rapid identification of suspicious findings.
- The final clinical decision, however, rests with qualified radiologists, pathologists, and dental specialists — who review every finding before any referral or clinical action is taken.
Referral & Follow-Up
Individuals requiring further investigation or treatment are linked to government facilities through structured referral pathways, supported by patient navigation, teleconsultation, and follow-up services.
All operational costs up to and including the pre-referral stage are borne entirely by Telerad Foundation and its supporting partners. This is a non-financial partnership with the Government.
Expected Impact
The first AI Mobile Health Unit is designed to deliver approximately 54,000 screening examinations annually and 2,70,000 examinations over five years across cancer and TB screening.
| Service | Annual Capacity | Five-Year Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Breast Cancer Screening | 12,000 | 60,000 |
| Cervical Cancer Screening | 12,000 | 60,000 |
| Tuberculosis Screening | 18,000 | 90,000 |
| Oral Cancer Screening | 12,000 | 60,000 |
| Total | 54,000 | 2,70,000 |
Figures represent screening examinations. Individuals may receive multiple services and repeat examinations where clinically indicated.
Beyond the numbers, the programme aims to strengthen community awareness, promote preventive health-seeking behaviour, facilitate earlier diagnosis, improve treatment outcomes, and demonstrate how AI, mobile diagnostics, and specialist networks can be effectively integrated with public health systems to improve population-level screening coverage.
Strategic Focus (FY 2026–27)
- Launch and operationalisation of the first AI Mobile Health Unit
- Community awareness and beneficiary mobilisation
- Integration with government referral systems
- Deployment of AI-enabled screening services
- Digital monitoring and reporting
- Clinical quality assurance
- Strengthening referral and follow-up systems
- Building a scalable, replicable model for expansion
The first AI-MHU will serve as a proof-of-scale platform — demonstrating how AI, mobile diagnostics, telemedicine, and public health systems can work together to improve early detection at the last mile.
Partner With Us
The Sanjeevani AI Mobile Health Unit has received seed funding from TRS Solutions for vehicle procurement, fabrication, medical equipment deployment, insurance, and statutory compliance.
We invite CSR partners, philanthropic foundations, healthcare institutions, and individual donors to support programme operations and service delivery.
What Your Contribution Enables
Every ₹1,000 of CSR or philanthropic investment enables a person from an underserved community to access comprehensive, AI-assisted screening through the Sanjeevani AI-MHU — followed by final validation by qualified and experienced doctors, and referral coordination and follow-up support where required.
| Contribution | Impact |
|---|---|
| ₹1,000 | 1 individual receives comprehensive screening services, specialist review, and referral support |
| ₹10 Lakh | ~1,000 individuals receive screening, specialist review, and referral support |
| ₹1 Crore | ~10,000 individuals receive screening, specialist review, and referral support |
Your contribution also supports community awareness, beneficiary mobilisation, digital reporting, programme monitoring, and impact measurement.
Why Your Support Matters
Early detection saves lives. By supporting the Sanjeevani AI Mobile Health Unit, you help expand access to screening for cancers and TB — enabling earlier diagnosis, timely treatment, and better outcomes for communities that need it most.
