New Delhi: Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for the Ministry of Science and Technology, said that 'Telemedicine Technology' could save India around $5 billion annually. He called for innovative healthcare solutions like Telemedicine while addressing the CII Asia Health 2021 summit on Thursday.
The minister said that Telemedicine is no longer an option but a necessity. He added that digital health is the next frontier to ensure healthcare delivery is accessible, available, and affordable.
Why Telemedicine Is A Necessity In India
Telemedicine is important in a country like India because of a shortage of medical professionals, and a lack of direct access to proper healthcare and treatment for millions of people living in rural areas.
The Minister said that telemedicine implementation can replace 50 percent of in-person outpatient consultations, and could save India around 4-5 billion US dollars every year.
The Minister added that telemedicine will grow to a large extent in the future, with increased internet connectivity across the country.
He informed that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW), together with NITI Ayog, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, formed the Telemedicine Practice Guidelines. This allowed registered medical practitioners to deliver healthcare services by using digital health technologies, through telemedicine platforms.
Dr Jitendra Singh explained health technology is of utmost importance to healthcare, as it improves health literacy, empowers and engages patients, and enables better self-management of care.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently launched Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to achieve the telemedicine technology implementation, and to provide a digital health ID to people.
PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana, Ayushman Health and Wellness Centres, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission are various health programs launched by the Narendra Modi-led government, with an aim to make healthcare facilities accessible and affordable to millions of poor people in the country.