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In India’s first-ever colonoscopy trials, which were carried out utilising AI and Airtel’s 5G technology, colon cancer was found significantly more quickly and accurately, according to an announcement from Bharti Airtel and Apollo Hospitals. The other three firms that worked together on these trials were HealthNet Global, AWS, and Avesha. Currently, colon cancer is identified manually during a colonoscopy procedure, requiring a lot of care and time from medical professionals to provide an accurate diagnosis. The procedure is not only time-consuming, lasting up to 30 to 40 minutes per case, but it is also discomforting for both the patients and the doctors and nurses who have to perform the procedure. Even when the doctor adjusted the scope to overlay the picture on the right portion of the colon, the AI-guided colonoscopy procedure displayed image processing in real-time without any lags.  The introduction of this technology will provide doctors access to an extra set of eyes and increase the rate at which polyps are detected. Utilizing platforms from AWS (Amazon Web Services India P Ltd), Avesha edge inferencing applications processed the data in real-time. Trials for AI-assisted Colonoscopy Polyp Detection will assist physicians in enhancing patient care, increasing detection rates by accurately recording information, and minimising errors. Ajay Chitkara, CEO and Director of Airtel Business, commented on the trial by stating that “Ultra-fast, low latency 5G networks will transform the healthcare sector in the country. At Airtel, we are geared up to lead this transformation and have demonstrated this by conducting India’s first colonoscopy trials. Healthcare is one of the most promising use cases for 5G, and we are delighted to collaborate with Apollo Hospitals, AWS, HealthNet Global and Avesha.” Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, stated that “By augmenting doctor’s ability to detect, AI has been proved to improve physician’s accuracy. Early detection and removal of polyps can easily avoid them from becoming cancerous. Apollo has always been a forerunner in the adoption of technology. Our patient-centric approach keeps us on an outlook for technologies which can make outcomes better.” Reiterating Chitkara’s and Dr. Reddy’s praise for 5G and AI as useful tools for developing healthcare, Vaishali Kasture, Head-Enterprise, Mid-Market & Global Businesses, India & South Asia, AWS India said, “5G and edge technologies offer high speed and real-time data analysis that can help transform the delivery of healthcare. AI inference provides better insight and information to healthcare professionals to predict, diagnose, and treat patients more effectively.”

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed the COVID-19 situation in the country on Wednesday in light of a recent surge in cases in some regions of the world, and instructed officials to remain vigilant and increase surveillance. “In view of the rising cases of Covid-19 in some countries, reviewed the situation with experts and officials today. COVID is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance. We are prepared to manage any situation,” Mandaviya stated this in a tweet. In view of the rising cases of #Covid19 in some countries, reviewed the situation with experts and officials today. COVID is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance. We are prepared to manage any situation. pic.twitter.com/DNEj2PmE2W — Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) December 21, 2022 The meeting was attended by the secretaries of health, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, Ayush, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Rajiv Bahl, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog Dr V K Paul, and National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) Chairman Dr N K Arora, among others. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan stated in a letter to states and UTs that such an effort will enable timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating throughout the country and will facilitate the implementation of necessary public health measures. Given the rise in cases in Japan, the United States of America, the Republic of Korea, Brazil, and China, the Union Health Ministry encouraged all states and union territories on Tuesday to increase whole genome sequencing of positive Covid samples in order to track emerging variants. COVID has been spreading rapidly in China. According to informal figures, over 40% of Beijing residents are currently infected with COVID. The CCP, on the other hand, has shifted its agenda to depict COVID as a simple flu. As the number of cases increases in major Chinese cities, even people with minor symptoms are rushing to hospitals. Emergency call operators are receiving 30,000 calls each day, which is six times the daily average. According to Voices Against Autocracy, there are long queues outside fever clinics in several towns. Treatments and medication are in low supply, and hospitals are stressed as doctors and nurses become infected with the illness. Doctors who have tested positive or are asymptomatic are also being urged to report to work, putting the public at danger of further transmission. Epidemiologists recently predicted that at least three COVID waves would hit China this winter. According to The Hong Kong Post, the Chinese government was “under-prepared” when it unexpectedly ended its zero-COVID policy in response to nationwide protests. The Chinese government has stayed silent on the number of deaths so far. However, Chinese authorities have warned of successive waves of COVID infections in the coming months, since cases have continued to increase since restrictions were lifted earlier this month. Source: PTI, ANI