KUALA SELANGOR: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in lung health screenings conducted by the Ministry of Health (MOH) has borne fruit when 22 cases of lung cancer were successfully detected within two months since the programme was implemented last July.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the screening was carried out at seven health clinics (KK) nationwide with the objective of identifying the disease at an early stage, especially among smokers and industrial workers at risk.
“A total of 3,482 X-ray examinations were conducted involving at-risk respondents aged 18 years and above. This resulted in 3,778 at-risk findings including 229 cases of lung tumors.
“Of that total, 22 cases were confirmed as lung cancer. The use of AI allows detection to be done faster and more accurately, thus increasing the chances of early treatment for patients,” he told reporters after officiating the Santuni MADANI Friendly and Friendly Program at Jeram Beach here today.
He said AI technology plays an important role in improving public health diagnostic capabilities by being able to detect early signs of disease more efficiently than conventional methods.
At the same time, Dzulkefly informed that the Ministry of Health is also now using rapid molecular technology which is capable of producing test results in less than two hours compared to 48 hours previously.
“This technology-based approach allows us to carry out more targeted screening, especially for vulnerable groups such as heavy smokers,” he said.
In a related development, he said the government was committed to strengthening the enforcement of the Smoking Products Control for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852) to curb the sale and use of smoking products, including electronic cigarettes.
The issue of lung health, he said, has now been raised to the international level after he presented the World Lung agenda at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland a few months ago.
“This initiative also has the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen the global push for lung care,” he said.
Previously, seven KKs involved in the implementation of the lung health screening programme were KK Seberang Perai, KK Kok Lanas, KK Beserah, KK Luyang, KK Kajang, KK Batu 9 and KK Pendang, each of which was supported by a nearby referral hospital.
— NAMED