AFMS Launches AI-Based Diabetic Retinopathy Screening

22 Dec 2025 CW Team

The Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), in collaboration with AIIMS’ Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences (RPC) and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s eHealth AI Unit, has recently launched India’s first Artificial Intelligence-driven community screening programme for Diabetic Retinopathy (DR). Inaugurated at Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi, the initiative aims to strengthen early detection of diabetic eye disease and build real-time health intelligence.

The programme is anchored by MadhuNetrAI, a web-based AI platform developed by RPC, AIIMS, which enables automated screening, grading and triaging of retinal images captured through handheld fundus cameras. The system allows trained medical officers and healthcare staff to conduct community-level screening while generating real-time data on disease prevalence and geographic patterns to support evidence-based planning.

Under the pilot phase, AFMS will roll out the programme across seven locations, including Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Dharamshala, Gaya, Jorhat and Kochi, covering diverse geographic settings. Identified patients will be referred for appropriate diabetic care, while vision-threatening cases will be directed to vitreo-retina specialists at designated district hospitals. Designed as a scalable model, the initiative demonstrates effective integration of AI-enabled solutions into India’s public health system.

Infrastructure Urban

06 Jul 2026

ABS Marine Sees CRISIL Credit Rating Upgrade

ABS Marine Services has secured an upgrade to its long term and short term credit ratings from CRISIL, reflecting improved profitability and revenue growth through long term contracts. CRISIL moved the long term rating from BBB+/Stable to A-/Stable and revised the short term rating from A2 to A2+. The action signals strengthened financial metrics and operational resilience. The company benefited from durable client relationships with firms such as ONGC and Schlumberger. The rating decision followed stronger cash flows and an enlarged bank loan facility, which increased from Rs 3,705 million (m..

Project BRAHMANK Marks 16 Years Of Strategic Roads In Arunachal

Project BRAHMANK is marking 16 years of work to establish strategic road and bridge links across Arunachal Pradesh, maintaining and developing 811 kilometres of roads and nearly 86 bridges that range from small culverts to large steel and arch bridges. These transport links are described as critical for ensuring year-round movement of defence personnel, equipment and essential supplies while improving everyday travel for people in remote villages. The project balances national security requirements with regional development by focusing on reliable access in challenging terrain. Notable enginee..

Longleng CSOs Give One Week Ultimatum Over Two-Lane Highway

Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Longleng district have demanded immediate restoration of the deteriorating Changtongya–Longleng two-lane road and sought a detailed status report on the stalled construction within one week. The demand followed a consultative meeting convened under the Phom Peoples' Council (PPC) to discuss welfare and development concerns. PPC president YB Angam Phom said prolonged non-maintenance had caused hardship to commuters and affected transportation, local commerce and the district's development. The meeting urged authorities to undertake immediate restoration a..