e-Sanjeevani telemedicine Reaches 6 Lakh‌ Consultations

‌ Updated November 06, 2020
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India’s ⁣Ministry of⁣ Health and Family Welfare’s e-Sanjeevani ⁤initiative has reached a milestone, completing 6 lakh teleconsultations. This achievement underscores the platform’s‍ utility and accessibility,especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,and aligns with‌ the Digital ⁣India initiative.

The telemedicine platform, wich recorded 5 lakh⁣ consultations as of Oct. 12, added another⁢ 1 lakh in just⁤ 15 days. Averaging 8,500​ consultations daily,⁢ e-Sanjeevani ⁢is becoming a significant component of India’s ‍healthcare ‌delivery system.

Available in 27 states and union territories, e-Sanjeevani employs over ⁤6,000 doctors across 217 online OPDs, ⁢facilitating patient-to-doctor interactions. States such as⁣ Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Gujarat operate e-Sanjeevani OPDs for 12 hours a day,‌ seven days a week,⁢ indicating growing acceptance among patients and ⁢doctors.

The platform extends specialized ⁤health services to ⁢smaller towns and rural areas through the ‌e-Sanjeevani (AB-HWC), connecting approximately 4,000 Health & ‌Wellness Centres with over 175 hubs at ⁤district hospitals and medical colleges. More than 20,000 clinicians and health workers⁣ are involved across e-Sanjeevani’s two models.

The Union Health Ministry launched a customized e-Sanjeevani OPD on‍ April 13, 2020, during the‍ initial lockdown. The e-Sanjeevani (AB-HWC) was launched ⁢in November 2019. The “Hub & Spoke” ⁣model aims to connect 155,000 health and‌ wellness Centres ⁤by December 2022 under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme.

Dr. Sanjay Sood on e-Sanjeevani’s Impact

Dr. ‌Sanjay Sood, Associate Director & Project Director, eSanjeevani, noted⁣ the platform’s growing ‍popularity as a⁤ means of accessing healthcare services. He cited two key factors driving digital ⁢conversion:

“e-Sanjeevani team⁣ in C-DAC Mohali on the directions ⁢of the ​eHealth‌ Section and ‌National Health ‌Mission at the‍ Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ‍has been working in tandem with over 25 State ⁤Governments / National Health Mission(s). these collective efforts have enabled setting up of over 200 virtual OPDS ⁣(general and multi-specialities) on e-Sanjeevani and this has in turn led to the spurt in the use of e-Sanjeevani across India – daily over​ 8,000 patients are seeking healthcare services using e-Sanjeevani.”

He added ‍that the platform’s processes mirror conventional⁣ OPD⁤ workflows,facilitating quick⁣ adoption by both doctors and patients.

“e-Sanjeevani has ⁤facilitated quick digital transformation ⁣and widespread uptake of telemedicine across the country⁢ as of a unique bouquet ⁤of ‌benefits that it offers: Free services; Simple processes‍ and workflows ​for users (patients ⁢and doctors); India’s premier institutions like AIIMS, lady hardinge Medical‌ College and Hospital, State Health Departments are amongst the services providers; Continuous and rapid enhancements in the platform based on feedback from users; Support by the Ministry of⁣ Health and Family Welfare and the National Health Missions in the​ States; Super specialty services (like radiation oncology, adolescent health, anti-retroviral therapy, AYUSH​ Yoga & Naturopathy, etc.);⁣ Accessible from correctional ⁣facilities in few States.”

What’s next

The​ expansion of e-Sanjeevani aims to integrate more Health and‌ wellness Centres, enhancing access to healthcare services across India, especially in rural and underserved areas.