In coronavirus lockdown, Punjab health department starts online OPD services

Tribune News Service
Patiala, April 28

Advertisement

Amid the coronavirus lockdown, the state health department has already started free online medical consultation and extend specialised healthcare services for the people.

This service — E-Sanjeevani–Online OPD (Doctor to Patient), integrated telemedicine solution — will be available to everyone, including in rural areas and any isolated community pockets.

The said online service is said to have been developed by C-DAC Mohali.

Significantly, patients will be able to connect onto the online OPD through video conferencing.

Therein a network of specialist doctors will give you medical treatment and advice for common health-related concerns while patients sit at home.

Patiala Civil Surgeon Harish Malhotra said there was a degree of unease among the citizens owing to the difficulty in reaching to doctors, in non-emergency cases, amid the lockdown.

He said that this E-Sanjeevani OPD will help all sections of the society to ensure access to the quality medical advice and treatment amidst the COVID-19 pandemic curfew.

To provide the free online medical consultations, initially a team of three-four doctors of the state health department will be available from Monday to Saturday (10:00 am to 1:00 pm). This facility will be a great help to the sick who are feeling uncomfortable about visiting hospitals in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said, “The government has undertaken a citizen-centric initiative to ensure uninterrupted health services to the public in the wake of this unprecedented time. E-Sanjeevani–Online OPD (Doctor to Patient), integrated telemedicine solution, is developed by C-DAC Mohali.”

He added that to keep the operations smooth at the district level, Department of Governance Reforms and Public Grievances has already deputed District Technical Coordinators (DTCs) or District e-Governance Coordinators (DeGCs). The coordinators from each district would assist the teams of doctors at the district level, added the civil surgeon.