Tele-medicine application through common service centres launched Cost effective tele-medicine tool to enhance healthcare outreach for Rural India

The Minister of State for Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Shri Sachin Pilot launched the tele-medicine application through Common Service Centres (CSC). The integration of CSC services with ‘e-Sanjeevani’, a tele-medicine software package for remote diagnostics and tele-counselling was showcased to the Minister through a live demonstration at New Delhi today. The software is targeted to be deployed as a cost effective tele-medicine tool for rural area at 100,000 CSCs being set up as part of the country’s National e-Governance Plan. The Secretary, DIT, Shri R. Chandrasekhar and other senior officials were also present on the occasion. e-Sanjeevani, a web based software, facilitates creation of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) for variety of diagnostic reports e.g. ECG, pathological reports, radiological examination (X-ray, CT Scan, MRI etc.). The patient record is secured through encryption. A highlight of the tool is that it enables multipoint, multi referral consultation, as well as one-to-one consultation between patient to doctor and doctor to doctor. The programme enables anywhere, anytime access with zero installation cost for the user. The combination of CSCs across the country along with the potential offered by e-Sanjeevani is expected to significantly enhance the outreach of health care to the rural masses. With this initiative a large number of villagers will be able to have their health records in electronic form, accessible anytime from anywhere. Village Level Enterpreneurs (VLEs) with minimum training in handling ECG machines and other devices will be able to handle the medical equipment co-located at CSCs. The e-Sanjeevani , a software package has been developed by the C-DAC, Mohali. C-DAC, Mohali has established a tele-medicine network in Punjab and Haryana linking remote Sanjeevani Health Centres to Referal Facilities.