Trial use of a home-grown artificial intelligence (AI) tool called "ChestGuru" has been started by the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) in Maharajgunj. Hospital officials have confirmed that this new tool will assist in diagnosing chest-related illness through X-ray imaging.
Within seconds and only from a single X-ray, ChestGuru is capable of detecting upto 14 different kind of chest conditions which includes tuberculosis and pneumonia. As this is a new system, it is currently being tested in TU's emergency department, where rapid diagnosis is critical due to high patient inflow.
Dr. Ghanshyam Gurung, Professor of Radiology at TUTH, claimed that this AI tool will help in reducing diagnostic errors while enabling faster clinical decision-making, mostly among junior doctors. He explained that, “The system assists doctors by highlighting urgent cases, which is especially useful in overcrowded emergency settings”.
The major benefit of this tool is letting doctors to prioritize patients who need immediate medical attention, as ChestGuru acts as a clinical decision-support system.The hospital officials claimed, this tool doesn't replace any medical professionals but helps in enhanching their ability to deliver accurate care that too timely.
The system's support for Nepali-language is one of its noteworthy features, which makes it easier for local healthcare professionals to use. Validation tests have shown that the tool's performance and safety levels are adequate for front-line clinical use.
AI-based diagnostic tools like ChestGuru, according to medical experts, have the potential to significantly improve Nepal's healthcare system, especially in public hospitals that are dealing with staffing shortages and excessive workloads. The tool’s effectiveness in real-world conditions will be determined through the ongoing trial at TUTH.
The officials have said, this technology can be expanded to other different hospitals across Nepal supporting early detection of chest diseases and improving overall patient outcomes, but only if the trial proves to be sucessful.
In context of Nepal, this new initiative highlights the growing role of locally developed digital health solutions addressing the healthcare challenges and shows growing momentum in the nation's health technology industry.
