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The Central government led eSanjeevani telemedicine initiative can be effectively implemented in more than 1.6 lakh health and wellness centres (HWC) under Ayushman Bharat through digital dispensary (DD) model to address the challenge of doctor availability and diagnostics, according to Dr. Sabahat S Azim, founder and chairman of Glocal Healthcare Systems. Dr Azim is a medical doctor and an ex IAS officer. He has served the government in various positions.
“Government is trying to connect these HWCs to existing doctors in the public healthcare system under the eSanjeevani telemedicine initiative but faces the challenge of infrastructure and skilled manpower. Using DD model, comprehensive primary care can be delivered, including doctor consultation, tests and medicines for as little as Rs. 250 per episode. Every month our DD platform serves close to 2 lakh patients,” Dr Azim emphasized.
“HelloLyf CX is one such platform of our DD. Integrating doctor consultation, diagnosis, and medication is completely feasible for others. What sets our DDs apart is the use of a semantic Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) called as LitmusDX, which helps doctors in diagnosis, interpreting test results and prescribing treatment protocols, apart from safety check of drug and food interactions. Our platform based on LitmusDX seamlessly integrates all the point of care and IoT (Internet of Things) devices, doctor consultation and creates an electronic health record (EHR). This can be set up in Panchayat buildings, Sub-Centres or non-functional primary healthcare centres (PHCs),” explained Dr. Azim.
Glocal is a technology and process-based platform, on a mission to make healthcare affordable, accessible and accountable for all. Currently, Glocal is operating about 600 DDs in partnership with the state governments and PSUs. The cost involved in setting up these units, varies with the model and functionality ranging from 3 lakhs to 15 lakhs.
Dr Azim further explained that several states have been front runners and have adopted this model. We started our digital dispensaries in Odisha and now Madhya Pradesh has implemented this model across all its primary health centres (PHC). India has one of the best technologies and know-how on digital health. The large-scale implementation of this model is only possible through the government in a public private partnership. The Central government through the National Health Mission (NHM) can provide funding for implementation. There is a potential for a country wide policy to utilize the DD model to operationalize non-functioning PHCs, sub-centres or HWCs, rather than states doing this sporadically.
Glocal plans to expand in the most underserved states like the North East, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and UP. Internationally, we have made forays in Africa and South East Asia, where we wish to expand.
Dr Azim further explained that there are three main challenges in healthcare worldwide: Accessibility, Affordability, and Accountability. Healthcare can only be taken to the masses using an assembly line approach – by standardization and productization using cutting edge technology.
“We have done exactly that by coding the entire medical knowledge, humanly impossible for a doctor to remember, into LitmusDX, with machine learning capability. With integrated devices and the technology platform, the DD is like healthcare in a box which can help doctors efficiently provide quality healthcare for the majority of the cases. We are extending this technology to our hospitals too,” Dr Azim further said.
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