IEP Chandigarh, August 8
Haryana Health and Family Welfare Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that the reach of tele-consultation services in the state of Haryana has been appreciated by the Union Health Minister, Sh. Mansukh Mandaviya. This has resulted from his direct experience with the pioneering tele-consultation model during a visit to a Health and Wellness Center (HWC) in Haryana.Sh. Anil Vij said that Union Health Minister Sh. Mansukh Mandaviya while addressing in the Lok Sabha referred to his visit to HWCs in Haryana, where he saw the tele-consultation model during his visit to AIIMS, Jhajjar. Impressed by the seamless and efficient service, he appreciated the efforts of the state in ensuring that quality healthcare reaches every nook and corner of the region.Sh. Anil Vij said that Haryana has taken healthcare innovation to new heights with its tele-consultation services, which effectively bridged the gap between medical experts and patients, cutting across geographical barriers. The services have brought specialized care within reach of the most remote areas, bringing not only convenience but also a significant reduction in cost for both the government and the patients. Haryana’s unprecedented tele-consultation approach comprises 23 centres, strategically located to serve every district of the state. These centers include one specialist center at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) Chandigarh and one center in each district civil hospital in 22 districts of the state. The system enables direct tele-consultation connections between the centers and specialists at Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and Sub Centers (SCs), thereby ensuring seamless healthcare delivery.The Additional Chief Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department, Dr. G. Anupama, reported rapid growth in the tele-consultation model. Within just a year, the daily average call volume increased from 0.13 calls per day to an impressive 500 calls per day. The Hubs have collectively conducted about 2.5 lakh tele-consultations, of which about 50 percent have been received by the specialist Hub at PGIMER Chandigarh. The specialist tele-consultation calls received at the PGIMER Hub have covered a wide range of medical specialties including Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Internal Medicine, Eye, Ear Nose Throat (ENT), Pediatrics, and Dermatology. Each Consultant handle 50 daily consultations, with durations ranging from 7 to 12 minutes.Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM) Sh. Rajanarayan Kaushik, mentioned that the tele-consultation model has achieved a remarkable patient satisfaction rate of 96.3 percent. This underscores the effectiveness and convenience of the service. Additionally, nearly 10,000 cases have been referred to specialists and healthcare facilities in a timely manner, contributing to saving numerous lives.Haryana’s tele-consultation services stand as a symbol of progress in the realm of healthcare access. Leveraging technology to connect patients with specialists and provide quality care where it’s needed most has not only improved healthcare outcomes but also transformed lives by making quality medical care a reality for all, irrespective of distance.
