India develops indigenous handheld X-ray for affordable TB screening

The device aims to improve access to TB screening, especially for vulnerable populations, by enabling portable and convenient testing closer to patients' homes.

India has achieved a significant breakthrough in tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis with the development of an indigenous handheld X-ray device, ANI reports.

This innovation, created through a collaboration between IIT Kanpur and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), promises to enhance early TB detection by offering a more affordable solution, costing less than half the price of imported alternatives. The device aims to improve access to TB screening, especially for vulnerable populations, by enabling portable and convenient testing closer to patients' homes.

ICMR Director General Dr. Rajiv Bahl highlighted this advancement at the 19th International Conference of Drug Regulatory Authorities (ICDRA) INDIA-2024. He emphasized that this new technology could significantly improve India’s public health outcomes by facilitating more widespread and timely TB diagnosis and treatment.

In addition to the handheld X-ray, Dr. Bahl announced the development of three testing kits for Mpox, which are currently being manufactured by three different companies. These kits mark another step forward in the nation’s healthcare innovation.

India’s fight against sickle cell disease was also mentioned. With over a million affected individuals, India holds the second-largest population of sickle cell patients worldwide. Dr. Bahl noted that 18 new, low-cost tests for detecting sickle cell anemia have been developed, reducing the cost per test from ₹400 to just ₹30, making screening more accessible. This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission last year, aiming to eliminate the disease as a public health concern by 2047.

On the dengue front, India is currently conducting phase three clinical trials for a dengue vaccine. Dr. Bahl expressed optimism about the results, which are expected within a year. If the vaccine demonstrates both safety and efficacy, it could become another crucial tool in the country's public health arsenal.

(With inputs from agency)