India Launches First AI-Driven Diabetic Eye Screening Program
The Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), in partnership with the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences (RPC), AIIMS, and the eHealth AI Unit of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), has unveiled India’s inaugural Artificial Intelligence (AI) community screening initiative for Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) on December 16, 2025, in New Delhi. This groundbreaking program aims to enhance early detection of diabetic eye disease and establish a real-time national health intelligence framework.
The launch took place at the Army Hospital (Research & Referral) in New Delhi, presided over by Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General of AFMS, alongside Professor Radhika Tandon, Chief of the RPC. This collaborative effort merges the clinical outreach of AFMS, the educational excellence of AIIMS, and the technological innovations from MoHFW to tackle a critical public health issue.
How the Program Works
At the heart of this initiative is MadhuNetrAI, a web-based AI tool crafted by the RPC. The platform streamlines the process of automated screening, grading, and triaging retinal images obtained from handheld fundus cameras. This allows trained medical officers, nursing staff, and healthcare assistants to conduct screenings at the community level. Moreover, it generates real-time data on disease prevalence and geographic distribution, aiding in evidence-based planning and policy development.
During its pilot phase, the program will be deployed across seven diverse locations: Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Dharamshala, Gaya, Jorhat, and Kochi. These sites encompass metropolitan, rural, hilly, coastal, and remote areas, ensuring a wide-reaching impact. Staff at these locations will undergo comprehensive training at RPC and AIIMS, preparing them for extensive community screenings.
Patient Care and Referral Processes
Individuals diagnosed with Diabetic Retinopathy will receive referrals for optimal diabetic management. In more severe cases, where vision is at risk, patients will be directed to vitreo-retina specialists at designated District Hospitals. District Health Administrations will oversee the referral processes, integrating diabetic retinopathy management with current non-communicable disease programs for seamless continuity of care.
Operational Guidelines and Future Vision
At the launch, a Compendium outlining the methodology and operational guidelines for the program was released. The significant contributions of Brig S.K. Mishra, Head of Department and Consultant Ophthalmology at Army Hospital (R&R), in establishing this collaboration were also recognized. This initiative is designed to serve as a scalable and replicable model, showcasing how AI-driven solutions can be effectively integrated into public health systems, leveraging the combined resources of AFMS, AIIMS, and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
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