Around 20 districts of Karnataka are among the top 50 in the country for implementing the ambitious e-Sanjeevani scheme under the Central Government’s National Telemedicine Service (NTS). The state ranks second after Andhra Pradesh.
Belagavi: Around 20 districts in Karnataka are among the top 50 in the country to implement the ambitious e-Sanjeevani scheme under the Central Government’s National Telemedicine Service (NTS). The state ranks second after Andhra Pradesh.
Despite the lack of internet penetration, the initiative has now completed 10 million consultations across the country, of which around 20 lakh are from Karnataka. Interestingly, some backward districts of North-Karnataka are also leading, reflecting the dedicated field work done by the district health departments. Since OPD was closed during the lockdown, more people started using this service and are now continuing it for risk free consultations.
As per the data shared by the Union Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ballari has recorded the highest engagement registering 1,34,967 consultations which is also more than Bengaluru urban district. It is ranked 13th in the country. NTS comprises two variants of e-Sanjeevani – Doctor to Doctor (eSanjeevani AB-HWC) telemedicine platform based on hub and spoke model and Patient to Doctor Telemedicine platform (eSanjeevani OPD) which provides outpatient services to citizens . His. The former was introduced in 2019 and the latter was introduced in April 2020.
In the state, the numbers jumped dramatically during and after the lockdown, according to the ministry. Bellary ranks 13th in the country, while Chikkamagaluru is at 15th, with 1,26,540 consultations. Patients and doctors are working in both audio and video mode. Belagavi, Hassan and Dharwad have secured 18th, 19th and 21st positions and Bengaluru Urban 22nd. Bidar, Mysore, Shivamogga, Yadgir, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Kalaburagi, Haveri, Koppal, Bengaluru Rural, Chamarajanagar, Tumkur and Kolar are also among the major districts. The percentage of females joining this facility is 56.17% and males are lagging behind with 43% in the country.
Speaking to TOI, Ballari District Health Officer HL Janardhan said that the district made a comeback after being ranked 29th in the state. The health department later started targeting community health officers, district health officers, junior health workers and ASHA workers, thereby gaining momentum in the district. ASHA workers visiting homes are helping the public download the app and educating them on booking counselling.
Yadgir DHO Dr Indumati Patil said that several government programs including mass vaccination have helped in targeting more number of people to participate in the programme. The district has set up hubs at taluk levels and the e-hospital manager reminds all the stakeholders about the target on a daily basis.
The e-Sanjeevani platform is available to the public in 701 districts.
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