The project was launched by Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala launched a pilot project on telemedicine services, to be operated by AIIMS Raipur through the National Cooperatives Development Corporation (NCDC), for members of the fisheries cooperatives under the central sector flagship programme Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Members of fisheries cooperatives in Chhattisgarh will be able to consult doctors from AIIMS, Raipur for their medical needs.
Rupala, while handing over a cheque for the Rs 50 lakh to Dr Nitin M Nagarkar, Director and CEO, AIIMS Raipur to kickstart the pilot project, said, “This would ensure that members of the fisheries cooperatives in Chhattisgarh, whenever in medical need, will be able to approach health specialists of AIIMS, Raipur from their remote locations through telemedicine facility.”
Rupala further said, “Telehealth services have tremendous potential in our country where healthcare facilities are heavily concentrated in urban cities while those in remote area like villages and coastal areas remain deprived of such benefits.”
Proposed as a startup activity by AIIMS, Raipur for the next three years, the project is being launched in a pilot mode from five centres namely PHC Patan (Durg district), PHC Saja (Bemetara), PHC Ratanpur (Bilaspur), PHC Dhamtari (Chamtari) and AIIMS Raipur (Raipur). It is a joint effort by the Central Government, Government of Chhattisgarh, NCDC and AIIMS Raipur.
Later on, more districts will be covered under the project. With the launch of the facilities, the government aims to bridge health disparities among fishermen and fisherwomen communities associated with their respective cooperatives in the Chhattisgarh State, explained NCDC MD Sundeep Nayak.
The decision to launch the telemedicine facility was taken after it was found that many members from the cooperatives were shying away from availing medical services either because of living in far off areas, poverty or due to covid fears.
“The idea is to extend healthcare facilities to members of fisheries cooperatives societies in remote areas as well as cut down their medical expenditure. The penetration of quality healthcare services in remote areas will also create health awareness among the fisheries community,” said Nayak. He explained that after the consultation if it was found that the patient needed more specialised treatment, an ambulance service would be available.
“It will also help them to take a more informed decision on prevention, diagnosis and health conditions,” said Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, while appreciating the collaborative efforts of AIIMS, Raipur with NCDC. It will be a guiding light for the startups to initiate innovative projects.
