DeepTek, a medical imaging AI company based in India, has received a formal recommendation from the World Health Organization (WHO) for its Chest X-ray AI solution used in tuberculosis (TB) screening. In its latest policy guidance, WHO identified the solution as meeting the required performance standards for computer-aided detection (CAD) software in both community and facility-based TB screening settings.
This recommendation positions DeepTek among a limited number of global AI tools validated for the early identification of presumptive TB cases. The AI solution is designed to function in low-resource environments and deliver results in under a minute, supporting timely diagnosis and intervention.
According to WHO, 10.6 million people were diagnosed with TB in 2022, with the highest disease burden recorded in South-East Asia, Africa, and the Western Pacific. These regions frequently experience a shortage of trained radiologists and delayed access to diagnostic services. DeepTek’s solution addresses these challenges through its rapid image analysis capabilities, even in remote areas without internet access.
“This recommendation marks a significant step forward in our mission to scale early TB detection,” said Dr. Amit Kharat, CEO and Co-founder of DeepTek. “By nearly halving the cost of identifying TB cases, it not only strengthens healthcare economics but also enhances quality of life by enabling timely triaging—even in the subclinical stages of the disease.”
Dr. Kharat added, “Our mission has always been to improve access, accuracy, and affordability in radiology. This recommendation is a powerful boost to our efforts and a strong validation of the impact we strive to make.”
DeepTek’s solution has regulatory clearance from both the US FDA and EU CE MDR. In addition to identifying tuberculosis, the AI system can detect more than 21 lung abnormalities, such as nodules, masses, and pneumothorax. It can also interpret chest X-rays for children aged four and above, enabling its use across broader public health and routine screening contexts.
The AI platform is integrated with a full workflow for patient management in TB screening. Digital X-rays are captured at point-of-care locations and analysed by DeepTek’s AI engine, which generates TB risk predictions within a minute. The system functions offline and syncs data to the cloud when internet connectivity becomes available.
“A key strength of the platform is its commitment to Responsible AI. It continuously monitors real-world accuracy at each deployment site, helping identify AI accuracy drift, biases, or variations in its effectiveness,” said Ms. Ritika Taki, who leads the Global Health Initiative at DeepTek. “Comprehensive analytics and dashboards provide program coordinators with deep insights into screening activity, outcomes, and operational performance across locations—enabling data-driven decisions and remote oversight at scale.”
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