The telemedicine service e-Sanjeevani has achieved remarkable success in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj division, bringing digital healthcare to thousands of patients who previously struggled to access quality medical treatment.
Record-Breaking Telemedicine Adoption
According to Harit Saxena, the divisional project manager for the National Health Mission (NHM), the e-Sanjeevani service provided consultations to an impressive 56,423 patients across the Prayagraj division during the month of October alone. This significant number demonstrates the growing acceptance and utilization of digital healthcare services in the region.
The district-wise breakdown reveals that Prayagraj district led the initiative with 24,887 consultations, followed by Kaushambi with 10,899 patients, Pratapgarh with 10,660 patients, and Fatehpur where 9,977 people availed of the telemedicine service.
Comprehensive Telemedicine Infrastructure
The success of the e-Sanjeevani program is supported by an extensive network of telemedicine centers established throughout the division. Saxena confirmed that 1,113 telemedicine centres are currently operational across the four districts.
Prayagraj district boasts the highest number of facilities with 521 centres, while Fatehpur and Pratapgarh have 228 centres each. Kaushambi district has established 136 telemedicine centres to serve its population.
The human resources supporting this digital healthcare revolution include 1,005 Community Health Officers (CHOs) who are actively providing telemedicine services throughout the division. All four districts have received instructions to prepare detailed rosters that optimize doctor availability and ensure efficient service delivery to patients.
How e-Sanjeevani Transforms Healthcare Access
The e-Sanjeevani service, launched through a collaboration between the state government and the Central government, represents a significant step toward making advanced healthcare accessible to all citizens, particularly those in rural areas.
The service has effectively eliminated the need for patients to travel long distances to major cities for medical treatment, substantially reducing both travel time and medical expenses for rural communities. Additionally, the telemedicine initiative has helped decrease overcrowding at major medical institutions, allowing them to focus on more critical cases.
The process for patients is straightforward and user-friendly. Patients begin by registering on the e-Sanjeevani app, where they receive a specific time slot for their consultation. When their scheduled time arrives, a 'call now' option appears on their screen. Clicking this option connects them directly with a healthcare professional through an audio-video call.
During the consultation, doctors thoroughly inquire about the patient's medical condition and prescribe appropriate medications. The prescription details are subsequently sent to the patient via electronic message, ensuring they have a permanent record of their treatment.
This innovative approach to healthcare delivery is proving particularly beneficial for patients in remote areas who previously faced significant challenges in accessing timely medical advice and treatment.
