In a groundbreaking move, the Kerala government has collaborated with Remidio, a leader in AI-driven ophthalmic solutions, to introduce Nayanamritham 2.0—an AI-assisted screening program targeting chronic eye diseases. Building upon the success of its predecessor, Nayanamritham 1.0, which focused on diabetic retinopathy, this new phase expands to include glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The New Indian Express
The program equips optometrists with Remidio’s AI-enabled fundus cameras, allowing for immediate classification of cases as referable or non-referable. This innovation ensures faster diagnoses and timely referrals, significantly enhancing patient care. By integrating AI into existing workflows, Kerala's health system aims to make eye screenings more efficient, accessible, and affordable.
Nayanamritham 2.0 extends its reach across community health centers, taluk hospitals, and district hospitals, ensuring comprehensive eye care is available at all levels of the healthcare system. This initiative sets a global precedent for integrating AI into public health, showcasing the transformative power of collaboration between government bodies and health technology innovators.
Dr. Bipin Gopal, Deputy Director of the Department of Health Services in Kerala, emphasized that AI is designed to empower healthcare providers, not replace them. By enabling optometrists to detect routine cases with AI-powered cameras, ophthalmologists can focus on more advanced cases, delivering high-quality care where it's needed most.
As AI continues to redefine global healthcare, Kerala's Nayanamritham 2.0 stands as a significant milestone, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of screenings and empowering healthcare providers to deliver better patient outcomes.
