Rural children in general and, girl child in particular due to prevalent gender discrimination, tend to face worst health outcomes.

It is well-known that in India there exist substantial differences between the urban and rural areas, with poverty affecting lives of people starting from early childhood and increasing as one grows older. Living conditions aside, rural areas also suffer from the lack of social sector services in general. Rural children in general and, girl child in particular due to prevalent gender discrimination, tend to face worst health outcomes. The health disparities between rural and urban children, as well as interstate disparities in health status go hand-in-hand to projecting concerning scenarios for the country. Again, the rural and tribal areas have fewer movement and connectivity options than urban areas. The settlements are dispersed more than urban areas. This necessitates evolving location-specific healthcare service delivery systems for rural areas.

The first pandemic wave in the country affected health and social welfare aspects of women and children, belonging to poorer section of society, adversely. Many pregnant women, without access to proper medical care during childbirth, lost their lives; while some gave birth to underweight and stunted children. These children obviously got subjected to life-long health problems. As observed, in ordinary times, the Indian healthcare systems, more so rural health facilities, face operational challenges, and the challenges observably grew manifold during the pandemic causing catastrophic effects on socio-economic spheres.

The rural healthcare system in rural India, primarily developed on the suggestions of Bhore Committee Report, guided Government of India in adopting population-based norms for establishing the three-tier public health care facilities, as Sub-Centre (SC), Primary Health Centre (PHC), and Community Health Centre (CHC). The current status, of these rural health facilities, as obtained from latest Ministry of Health & Family Welfare statistical data upload in their website, indicate shortfall at the three-tier set up as, 18% at the SC level, that consist of 158417 SCs, 22% at the PHC level that consist of 25743 PHCs and 30% at the CHC level that total 5624 CHCs. According to the National Health Profile 2021, in government hospitals one allopathic doctor is available to cater to 11,082 people, one bed per 1,844 people is the current allocation, and one state-run hospital available for every 55,591 people.

In spite of the elevation in rural health facilities over the years, the manpower availability is notably underneath the wanted tiers, as per World Health Organization suggested levels.

In spite of the elevation in rural health facilities over the years, the manpower availability is notably underneath the wanted tiers, as per World Health Organization suggested levels. Of the sanctioned posts, at the SC level 14 per cent posts of Health Workers (Female)/ ANM, and 37 per cent of Health Workers (Male) were vacant, as Government Rural Health Statistics (RHS)2019-20 indicated. The RHS also stated that the number and post-wise shortage in rural health set up as, 1,704 posts of doctors in PHCs across the rural areas, as well as 5,772 posts of nursing staff, 5,066 positions in female health workers, 6,240 posts of pharmacists, and 12,098 posts of laboratory technicians. The report further added that- of the total 155404 Sub Centre across the country, only 5383 SCs was functioning as per IPHS norms, only 8514 PHCs were functioning on 24×7 basis out of existing 24918 PHCs, and just 4957 CHCs, of the sanctioned 20732 CHCs, were currently functioning in rural areas. An International Journal paper published in December 2020 found that rural India has 3.2 government hospital beds per 10,000 people and that some big states such as, Uttar Pradesh with 2.5 with beds, Rajasthan 2.4 with beds, Jharkhand 2.3 with beds, Maharashtra with 2.0 beds and Bihar with 0.6 beds respectively, stood below the national average. Evidently, the rural healthcare set-up does not provide assuring state of affairs, currently. Besides, there is among the states, dissimilarity as far as access to medical care, appropriation of public health expenditure as well as achieving health outcomes. Obvious therefore that even without the pandemic or unforeseen emergencies, the rural health infrastructure is always stressed, while historically having less access to health services as the figure below will indicate.

The rural public health service management, especially in preventing, controlling or eliminating major communicable diseases, such as Tuberculosis, Malaria, and in reducing the risk of deaths in maternal and perinatal diseases has remained a challenge. In India, endemic diseases caused by infection or lack of nutrition still account for over two-thirds of mortality and morbidity.  With rural areas lacking access to elementary healthcare, there remain abundant challenges to setting up strong emergency medical services, as well.

Both increases in government spending and private sector initiatives have improved the health infrastructure, but given the rising demographic pressure in India, this increase does not seem to make the desired difference. It is the extension of life expectancy that has a direct impact on many households. The rising healthcare cost exacerbates the problem for lower- and middle-class households, as well. The suggestive way forward, at this juncture, at empowering rural healthcare systems and building healthy rural communities, can be as follows-

Maximize the implementation of Health and Wellness at the Sub Centres and Primary Health Centres levels–

The health and wellness concept under Ayushman Bharat was an excellent start, as the same advocated a more comprehensive, well-equipped, and well-staffed model of primary healthcare in government sub-centres and primary health centers. Updating them in rural areas will undoubtedly enable in achieving the degree of readiness required in rural India in the event of a pandemic or other unforeseen emergency.

Extended public-private partnerships (PPP) to support healthcare inclusion-

PPP partnerships evidently have potential to revolutionize the rural healthcare system in India, while simultaneously ensuring a long-term viable solution. As the country’s population is growing, government efforts will not be enough to strengthen the healthcare system. PPP can assist in overcoming monetary, specialized, pedagogy, and human capital constraints. Private players can also ensure that Government policies at improving rural healthcare infrastructure are implemented appropriately. Continuing partnerships will improve access to healthcare, especially in the inaccessible rural areas, because individual actors’ extensive expertise, experience and financial resources may aid in the development of novel solutions.

Organise a supervisory committee on the ground–

a local supervision committee formation needed for developing a centrepiece masterplan for improving access to better healthcare and overseeing the implementation of rural healthcare projects. Though the majority of rural healthcare programs often get off to a terrific start, the outcomes are not always as anticipated. To revive rural healthcare service systems, through efficient monitoring of rural healthcare strengthening operations, the local supervisory committee is required.

Doctors working in rural areas encounter several problems when it comes to accessing training opportunities due to their location.

Continuous competency development and mentoring-

Another key concern in rural regions is skill development and mentoring. The CHCs, which acts as a referral of PHCs in rural areas, currently have a 76.1 percent shortage of specialists, as the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recent report indicated. Doctors working in rural areas encounter several problems when it comes to accessing training opportunities due to their location. In that scenario deployed Doctors can benefit from skill development courses, and ongoing learning programs to assist address the dearth of trained doctors in rural areas. A focused mentoring program, including online or offline sessions, skill upgradation and exchange programs could be extremely helpful in this situation. 

Coherent machine upgrade and paramedic training-

Essential amenities, such as most up-to-date medical equipment and skilled medical personnel to operate them, are lacking in rural areas. While medical equipment can still be upgraded on a regular basis, training courses for nurses and paramedical workers on how to handle, operate and manage these machines are also necessary. As new technologies become available, the requirement for training becomes more pronounced and required to be recognized.

In summing up, it needs to be pointed out that it is difficult to overhaul the country’s rural healthcare system within a short timeline, and that a piecemeal approach to improving rural healthcare facilities will be futile. But, with the ongoing dedication and regular efforts can a sturdy rural healthcare system be developed. Implementing the procedures outlined above will have positive benefits in the long run and will contribute to the development of a robust rural health care management system. Beyond COVID, the central objective should be to devise preparedness strategies for unforeseen emergencies, rather than focusing simply on short-term fixes that will return the system to its previous state once external help is withdrawn.

Composed by: “Dr. Gautam Kr Ghosh, is Ph.D in sociology with PG diploma in Reproductive and Child Health Management, and is research scientist at ICMR NICED, Kolkata, India.”

Composed by: “Aprita De, holds Masters in Public Health degree, and is working as Junior Consultant, NHSRC, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi.”

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The virus went on to become a global pandemic that led to the loss of human life and the breakdown of the entire health system worldwide.

This highly transmissible virus primarily affects the lungs and gets on to damage other organs such as the brain, heart and kidney. The contagious disease left a major impact on the physical as well as mental health of human beings and in no time COVID-19 became a major challenge of the lifetime. The virus went on to become a global pandemic that led to the loss of human life and the breakdown of the entire health system worldwide. However,  some people affected by the virus have recovered quickly through proper treatment, still, they continue to experience symptoms after their recovery as well. The virus has mostly affected the older age group or the person with many serious medical conditions leaving some great negative impacts on the health such as mental and physical exertion, breathing difficulties, body and joint pain, memory and sleep problems, loss of smell or taste, Depression or anxiety, Fever, Dizziness and unable to perform physical or mental activities.

But, there is always a positive side to everything. So does this pandemic! Doctors and researchers have found some positive side effects of the virus in human behaviour and nature.

1. Health concern becomes the primary thing for people.
2. keeping their issues aside people started interacting with each other.
3. A sense of gratitude has emerged in people which offered a new perspective towards life as nothing should be taken for granted.
4. Covid 19 has taught the importance of humanity and how a helping attitude towards each other can save a life.
5. People are spending quality time with their loved ones
6. People have started following their hobbies.
7. People have understood the importance of hygiene.

Other than this, some of the positive outcomes of the virus towards nature are:

1. environmental pollution has decreased excessively due to no traveling and no social activities 
2. road accidents have slowed down 
3. Rivers & lakes look cleaner.
4. Since the people have locked themselves in the houses the wildlife has filled the open space.

People have faced good and bad experiences after the COVID-19 attack. Although we have adapted to the new normal situation and the lives have come on track again, we can’t deny the fact that somewhere or the other, lives can never be the same as they were in terms of mentally and physically.

People have faced good and bad experiences after the COVID-19 attack. Although we have adapted to the new normal situation and the lives have come on track again, we can’t deny the fact that somewhere or the other, lives can never be the same as they were in terms of mentally and physically. Returning to normalcy in future will be quite difficult for those who lost their loved ones in this pandemic. The pandemic has left a strong message that we should move towards a green future. Certainly, the virus has upended the world for a while but it’s now deteriorating. However, the side effects of COVID-19  on human lives will last long.

Credit: Photo by Unsplash

Composed by: “Riccha Arora is a homemaker and a mother of two year old. She has had a passion for writing from a very tender age and also writes in blogs on parenthood & travel.”

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Blood collected is actually ‘whole blood’. The wholesome blood includes white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, coagulation factors and liquid part (plasma) combined altogether. This is stored by adding special preservatives in blood banks to extend its shelf life and is delivered to patients as and when needed.

What and how much are you actually donating when giving blood?

A healthy donor has around 5 to 6 liters of blood in his/ her body. A single episode of blood donation simply means taking out 300 to 350 ml, which gets replenished within the next three months. In other words, if our body has 10 pints a single episode of blood donation is just giving 1 pint. Blood collected is actually ‘whole blood’. The wholesome blood includes white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, coagulation factors and liquid part (plasma) combined altogether. This is stored by adding special preservatives in blood banks to extend its shelf life and is delivered to patients as and when needed. Shelf life of blood components varies depending on the type: five days for platelets, thirty-five to forty days for the red cells and up to one year for plasma.

How does a single unit of blood save multiple lives?

Unlike decades ago, the advent of automation and technology has now made it possible to separate whole blood into components and preserve each one separately. Post donation, within a maximum span of six hours the whole blood is centrifuged in a special equipment at blood banks under temperature controlled sterile settings and separated into plasma, platelets, and packed red blood cells.  When needed White blood cells and cryoprecipitate can also be selectively extracted as per patients demands. Each component is stored in separate bags under optimal conditions. Packed red blood cells are high in oxygen content and are used to increase hemoglobin levels and in cases of hemorrhage to make up for blood loss. 

The plasma replenishes the fluids lost in cases like burns and is also a source of coagulation factors which help in the normal clotting process. Platelets are particles which play an important role in hemostasis, prevent bleeding from vessels and are used in thrombocytopenic patients like those with viral illness like dengue. The white blood cells are extracted when specifically asked for by a process called apheresis. Heart & brain surgeries, bone marrow and organ transplants, burn victims, patients undergoing other major surgeries, women facing unexpected complications during delivery, inherited blood disorder for patients with sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia patients are the most in need of blood transfusion.

As per WHO 38% of reported voluntary blood donors are under the age of 35, hence insists countries focus on creating awareness to donate among this age group. Knowledge plays a key role in blood donation as half knowledge or misconceptions can defer one from donating blood and also spread wrong information among peers.

Facts, Inhibition and Attitude towards blood donation

As per WHO 38% of reported voluntary blood donors are under the age of 35, hence insists countries focus on creating awareness to donate among this age group. Knowledge plays a key role in blood donation as half knowledge or misconceptions can defer one from donating blood and also spread wrong information among peers. A study by Bharadwaj and group (2019)  has shown that there is a positive attitude towards the voluntary blood donation among youths in our country from both medical and non-medical educational backgrounds. In spite of having an optimistic attitude only a few donate due to lack of knowledge and awareness about the modes to donate blood.

How much time will it take to donate blood?

A common misconception is regarding the duration taken for one to donate blood. An entire episode of blood donation is over within an hour! Many blood banks across the country have slots and timings that help reduce waiting time by booking an appointment. A few centers collect blood by direct walk in. Below is a quick overview of a blood donation process.

The blood banks first provide a questionnaire for the donor to be filled regarding his or her basic personal details and medical history. A brief overview and pre-transfusion counselling is given to the donor by the staff. After basic tests like checking hemoglobin, blood pressure and temperature screening, if the donor is fit to donate it just takes 10 to 15 minutes to collect the blood. Post-donation the donor is asked to rest for ten minutes, during which some light refreshment or fresh fruit is given to replenish the energy. A certificate is given as a token of appreciation and for documentation purposes to the donors. The donor is advised to keep the bandage on the arm for six hours, drink plenty of fluids, defer from lifting heavy weights, smoking and alcohol intake for the next 24 hours. A gap of three months for males and four months for females is ideal between blood donations.

Where do I find an opportunity to donate blood?

Many studies have shown that the youth of our country, though willing, are unbriefed about the means to donate the blood. Given below are a few simple opportunity that motivate the donors.

Quick Facts And Clarifications

So now that we get to know the modes to donate, let us get our facts right about blood donation..

I’m a vegetarian. I don’t have enough blood to donate.

Can donate. A balanced diet is all it takes to restore the volume donated.

Donating blood is a time-consuming task.

On an average the entire process lasts for not more than an hour!

Too much blood is taken from my body.

Only an average of  350 ml  is drawn compared to the 5 – 6 liters of blood in your body!

Donating blood weakens my immunity.

The immune system in no way is affected by this.

I am on medications, cannot donate blood.

Not all medications are contraindicated for donation. You can still donate after clarification.

I’m a female : cannot donate blood.

All females fulfilling basic donor eligibility  can donate (other than durations of breastfeeding, pregnancy, periods and abortions).

HIV and other infections can be contracted from donation.

Sterility is maintained at all steps, with a new sterile needle being used for every donor.

No one has asked me to donate!

The need for donated blood is always there. Read below to see how you can make a change!

So, the next time you donate remember that you have saved three lives because……

From your one donated blood unit you would have literally provided a bag of red blood cells for an anaemic lady or a trauma patient with massive bleeding who is being operated in your vicinity, one unit of platelet for a patient having dengue and a unit of fresh plasma for a farmer who has had a snake bite wound and has landed in casualty. 

Let us work together for a better world, let us not only be aware but also spread the awareness among our near and dear ones about the need of coming forward and finding opportunities for donating blood. As another calendar year 2022 makes its beginning, incorporate this one also in your ‘TO DO’ list of resolutions for the new year.  To donate blood and save a life. ‘ LET BLOOD WAIT FOR THE PATIENT AND NOT PATIENT FOR BLOOD’

Composed by: “Dr.Archana Shetty, is currently working as a Blood Transfusion Officer and Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology at CDSIMER under the aegis of Dayananda Sagar University. With a teaching and diagnostic experience of over 12 years she is actively involved in blood transfusion services at the hospital.”

Photo from Unsplash

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While at one corner the donors were hesitant with apprehensions of even visiting the blood centres, recipients were jittered with the thought of the virus being transmitted through the received blood.

The pandemic has brought in revolutionary changes in diagnostics, new chapters have been written in terms of medications, genetics, treatment protocols, vaccination to name a few. However, the fact that the need for human blood during the pandemic was there cannot be changed,it is there and will only continue to grow. Though hospitals witnessed a drop in the scheduled planned surgeries, the need for blood units persisted due to its therapeutic roles in trauma victims, anaemic, thalassemics and cancer management. The only life saving medicine that cannot be manufactured but can only be passed on from a generous donor to a patient in need is the human blood. The demand and supply chain was badly affected. While at one corner the donors were hesitant with apprehensions of even visiting the blood centres, recipients were jittered with the thought of the virus being transmitted through the received blood. To add on was the constraint of conducting voluntary blood donation camps, restrictions on travel which further affected the workforce. These, along with other factors made it challenging to pile up blood stock and suffice the blood demands of the patients in need.

As a team working in a Blood Centre affiliated to a tertiary care hospital, that caters to a vast rural population, we took the responsibility of motivating all potential healthy donors in and around our campus. What came as a surprise was that a few key facts needed to be cleared which were engraved in their minds, especially regarding COVID-19 and Blood Donation. A snippet of the same has been given below with the hope that voluntary blood donation can be boosted up.

If you are a donor who wants to donate blood……

Blood donation during Covid is absolutely safe. All good Blood Centres practice stringent protocols of safety and donor screening. Spacing and repeated cleaning of donor stations, sanitizing places of potential contamination, wearing protective masks compulsorily and following biomedical waste disposal as per regulatory bodies are being followed. Also voluntary donor appointments are fixed by allotting time slots to avoid crowding at Blood Centres. 

Vaccination and Covid……

The Notification from the Government of India has now declared that one can donate after 14 days of receiving any/each dose of currently available Covid vaccine, provided that the donor clears all the criteria for other norms of Blood donation. So, after two weeks past a vaccination one can be an eligible donor!

If at any point time one was hospitalized for Covid the proposed deferral period is 3 months from hospital discharge. Published studies and literature till date have shown that respiratory viruses like the SARS CoV2 cannot be transmitted by donation or transfusion.

What if you have got infected with Covid ………

According to the guidelines in India, a person can donate after 28 days of full recovery and without any further symptoms. If at any point time one was hospitalized for Covid the proposed deferral period is 3 months from hospital discharge. Published studies and literature till date have shown that respiratory viruses like the SARS CoV2 cannot be transmitted by donation or transfusion. So either as a donor or recipient you are safe!

Social media and healthcare related websites have been playing a crucial role in the dissemination of facts and myths pertaining to Blood donation ever since the Pandemic was declared. However it is recommended to follow credible websites and to directly speak to your doctor for any clarifications. 

The above was a bird’s eye view of the need and clarifications regarding blood donation and Covid. I will consider my little effort worthwhile , after going through the above matter the little angel in your mind shouts out to you ‘ It’s time to be a hero and save lives, it’s time to donate blood and the time is NOW’

Composed by: “Dr.Archana Shetty, is currently working as a Blood Transfusion Officer and Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology at CDSIMER under the aegis of Dayananda Sagar University. With a teaching and diagnostic experience of over 12 years she is actively involved in blood transfusion services at the hospital.”

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One does not fail to notice that the entire medical services sector and hospitals in India are undergoing a major transformation in the delivery of services, monitoring and patient care. New hospitals are busy opening up specialty hospitals in tier 2 and tier 3 towns across India at a rapid pace. While this sector has been growing in traction for over a decade now with super-specialty hospitals springing up all over India has catapulted to still higher levels in the last 12 months due to the noticeable ongoing technology support and digital transformation for the healthcare sector. This has got due recognition due to the aftermath of the covid 19 pandemic and its tracing mechanism.

“The government of India’s top priority is to ensure, facilitate, encourage timely manufacture and delivery of covid 19 vaccines to the local population as well as undertake the exports to about 50+ countries across the globe.”

The government of India’s top priority is to ensure, facilitate, encourage timely manufacture and delivery of covid 19 vaccines to the local population as well as undertake the exports to about 50+ countries across the globe. Some of the supplies are purely commercial export whereas few donation supplies are appropriately termed as vaccination diplomacy. 

While one does notice very positive efforts in developing covid 19 vaccinations, challenges have also come in hand-in-hand including manufacturing delays,  raw material supplies, storage, manufacturing capacity constraints,  balancing demands, staggering rollout mechanisms, transportation and logistics at the same time ensuring that proper safeguards are in place via the use of digital tools and telecommunication, data storage and standards, hospital listing, data protection frameworks, encryptions, and identification systems. For delivery of vaccinations from the manufacturing site to the patients, involves a huge supply chain management service strategy that has been the need of the hour.

As an example, the country urgently needs technical support to ramp up the vaccination activity to double from the present 3 million /day to at least 6 million/day. For this to happen, one needs strong access to digital technologies, mobile devices to expand capacity via secured cloud-based services for such a huge campaign.

Digital technologies are playing a critical role to support the production, planning, monitoring, storing delivery, and management of vaccination programs on a pan India basis by successful use of digital logistic applications via electronic communication, mobile networks, and a special app to reach the nook and corner of India. The digital vaccination recording and follow-up systems have started working well lately by using standard (Pan and Aadhar) ID systems to determine eligibility and track patients between doses.

“An Indian COVID–19 contact tracing, mapping, and self-assessment digital service is primarily a user-friendly mobile app, developed by the National Informatics Centre under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)”

Most of us have heard about the Aarogya Setu app.  An Indian  COVID–19 contact tracing, mapping, and self-assessment digital service is primarily a user-friendly mobile app, developed by the National Informatics Centre under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). 

Statistics indicate that by September 2020,  the Aarogya Setu, the country’s Covid-19 contact tracing app, has more than 15.7 crore registered users and is growing month by month. This itself depicts a success story. It is widely clarified in the media that the app’s data is fully secured to protect confidentiality and encrypted in transit and idle state. Fully encrypted personal information is stored with necessary firewalls and protocols along with an appropriate transparency. The World Health Organization has lauded the Aarogya Setu mobile application for helping health departments in a vast country like India to identify COVID-19 clusters. This clearly shows that the healthcare industry has seen a massive shift in its dependency on technology. 

Today in India, the digital transformation efforts and adaptability has moved forward in leaps and bounds which initiated about a decade ago with just computers in hospitals for billing, appointments and scheduling. 

“Tech-savvy hospitals in the metros not only have sophisticated medical devices, MRI machines but also fully interactive websites and online platforms.”

Tech-savvy hospitals in the metros not only have sophisticated medical devices, MRI machines but also fully interactive websites and online platforms. Technology and digitizations have enabled error-free online appointments, consulting, video consulting and conferences, and telemedicine. Apart from these the highly sophisticated medical devices that modern hospitals across the country use for detection and curing mean that hospitals have up-skilled themselves via integration of medical knowledge with  Al-enabled medical devices and electronic health records.  In a nutshell, this summarises the whole doctor-patient relationship and communication that has culminated a huge transformation via timely decision making in regards to planning treatments schedules, operation theatres for optimal use,  data sharing and outcomes to bring in the “patient is the king” mindset. 

Thus data integration is being actively used in extending medical services and for the increase in data aggregation that can assist in the activity of preventive care, proper staff allocation and monitoring the reduction of medical errors to provide a high level of care.  Of course, the medical expenses have also increased with inflation. Today the focus of hospital management is to build loyal patients. Nowadays, hospitals are using technology to conclude the patients’ predictive analytics via medical records data,  family history, health insurance cover via cashless treatments.

When applying predictive analytics to the data generated by each patient and combining this data with those points collected from medical health records, healthcare providers will be able to build loyalty with their patients, manage their health intelligently and provide them with the seamless healthcare experience as per their expectations. Some digital enablers also could be rapidly expanded, scaled up, or deployed to support the effort. For example, strengthening and expanding the coverage of foundational ID systems, working with governments and private sector service providers as well as expanding access to the internet with a provision of mobile devices for program delivery, or rapidly expanding capabilities of existing information systems through private, secure cloud-based service providers. The current scenario is addressing challenges and rectification via the use of technology. 

“The object therefore will be for hospitals and medical practitioners to integrate digital technology in upskilling and installing Health records and information systems.”

Given increasing costs, Covid restrictions, patients in the urban area seemed to equip themselves to the use of digital technology with such devices as self-monitoring of BP, sugar, oximeters and temperature monitoring and arranging  house visits for blood sample collection.  Patients want to increasingly make use of digital devices for their self-care.  All this is to ensure that they receive continuing healthcare facilities at their homes due to a shortage of hospital beds which means an increase in tele-monitoring services and devices.     

The object therefore will be for hospitals and medical practitioners to integrate digital technology in upskilling and installing Health records and information systems. This will help in real-time monitoring and remote diagnostics or tele home care.  The technology that is used includes telemedicine and diagnostics, mobile device healthcare, RPM sensors,  webcams, video-conferencing, videophones, and WebPages for monitoring of patients. Wearables for recording heartbeat, pulse rate, blood pressure, blood sugar, etc. shows that digital Healthcare holds tremendous promise and opportunities.

“Composed by: Nanjundaiya Ramesh Kumar, is an international banker turned government Advisor, Professor and Global Ambassador. His forte lies in franchise promotion and exploring bilateral trade and investment avenues.”

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Partha Chakraborty

Partha Chakraborty is the Chief Scientific Officer at Arogyam Medisoft Solution Pvt. Ltd. Arogyam Medisoft (www.arogyammedisoft.com) is an IOT based digital solutions company focused in the healthcare & agriculture industry.

Not only patients, the doctors and health workers also get benefited from this digital health platform by providing necessary advice without visiting the actual infected area.

Importance of digital health solution in the current world during covid-19 pandemic situation

Providing efficient health solutions to this growing population is posing a major threat to this current world. Digital health platform is providing overall health coverage and has become a vital tool to serve the vulnerable. According to Bernardo Mariano, WHO’s Chief Information Officer, “Digital Health is the future of healthcare. As we take the big leap into digital health, we must ensure that it is people centric, delivers positive health outcomes, does no harm to people and it actually improves the healthcare system as a whole.”  The limitations of physical healthcare system infrastructure and supplies have worsened the whole health system scenario during Covid-19. People living in rural areas are not getting proper treatment due to lack and cost of transportation. Not only patients, the doctors and health workers also get benefited from this digital health platform by providing necessary advice without visiting the actual infected area. In addition to this, the social distancing norm has effectively shut down the traditional face-to-face care. Digital health platforms can become the solution here during this COVID-19 pandemic situation.

Arogyam Health. HaemurEx can test 25 clinical chemistry parameters blood & urine related to diabetes management, liver, cardiovascular, and kidney function

Arogyam telehealth solution with connected devices

Arogyam Medisoft Solutions Pvt. Ltd, a Kolkata based startup, incubated at BioNest, SIIC, IIT Kanpur, has invented a tele-enabled, battery-operated, point of care photo analyzer, designed for potential clinical purpose(s) and a cloud-based lightweight tele-health management system, known as Arogyam Health. HaemurEx can test 25 clinical chemistry parameters blood & urine related to diabetes management, liver, cardiovascular, and kidney function. Use of HaemurEx has been cleared by CDSCO, Govt of India with regulatory approved reagents and received CE compliance certification. It comes with the Arogyam Health is easy to use e-Health platform, accessible through various computing devices, such as a tablet, laptop, or desktop. It is also integrated with digital prescription and electronic medical records. Apart from the standard features available in a telemedicine platform, Arogyam Health is connected with a lightweight 12 lead digital ECG, BP Monitor, SPO2, thermometer, stethoscope. All the equipment can transmit information remotely to a health-cloud, hosted on EU GDPR (European Union General Data Protection Regulation) and HIPPA compliant platform. All the health information remains protected and confidential on HaemurEx cloud server. It gives real-time advice even in the Indian languages. 

The ability to measure oxygen saturation, blood pressure, temperature and cardiac outputs, to hear chest & lungs sound have made this device unique in this pandemic situation as determining the co-morbidities has become one of the most important aspects of the whole treatment.

Techniques having only video conferencing will not be sufficient to practice evidence-based medicine in future. The ability to measure oxygen saturation, blood pressure, temperature and cardiac outputs, to hear chest & lungs sound have made this device unique in this pandemic situation as determining the co-morbidities has become one of the most important aspects of the whole treatment. Ability of testing of these biomarkers at point of care, specifically in rural healthcare can be beneficial for the successful management of various disease conditions. Ease of use, not depending on 220 V power supply and ability to carry the system in a small bag are other unique features of this platform.

This platform can advance universal access to healthcare in countries like India. It can bring all primary health centers and sub centers and outreach clinics together where the patients get doctor’s consultation and follow-ups as well as medicine. This collaborative plan between the community leaders and health care providers is bringing the unconnected individuals especially the villagers into formal healthcare systems.

Arogyam Medisoft is supported by Dept. Of Science & Technology, Govt of India. It has been showcased at WHO global forum of medical devices, promoting accessible and affordable healthcare. It got awarded in various forums including Bengalathon organized by Govt of West Bengal, HealthHack organized by BCCI & Medica Hospital, NASSCOM Emerge 50. It has been recently selected German Development Corporation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit – GIZ) for piloting the platform further.

Pilot application of arogyam health solution

Arogyam Health platform & devices are developed in consultation with physicians and rural hospitals, practicing community medicine, and piloted so far to treat more than 16000 patients.

In a remote clinic of serving the god foundation at purulia, west bengal

This platform is being used in interiors of Purulia District of West Bengal, 300km from Kolkata, for the past two years in a pilot initiative of evidence-based community medicine practice to provide healthcare services to population outside the mainstream healthcare system in collaboration with Serving the God Foundation, Kolkata, led by Dr. Santanu Bannerjee, treating more than 3500 patients. The clinic at Manihara village is set up by the foundation and all the components of eHealth are progressively being installed at the clinic. The doctors visit the remote health center once in a month. The physicians provide their consultations remotely through Arogyam Health platform. The patients are provided essential medicine charged Rs 10/- at no profit basis. Arogyam Medisoft has been able to provide a scalable infrastructure that comes with physician’s consultation, essential diagnostics & essential medicines for 100000 people. Serving the God Foundation, Kolkata treated more than 700 patients, added an ambulance, an infrastructure to remotely treat diabetic retinopathy and remote consultation by leading gynecologist, Dr Mitali Mukhopadhyay and Dr. Lipika Das Mukhopadhyay. Dr. Bannerjee is extending outreach through medical camps at nearby villages to provide support to the patients suffering from chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

In remote clinics & camps of shramajibi swasthya udyog at cooch behar & purba medinipur, west bengal

One similar project is being run by Shramajibi Swasthya, led by Dr. Punyabrata Gun where they are using Arogyam Health platform successfully to deliver health outcomes to more than 200 rural patients during Covid 19 period since June 2020.

In remote primary health sub centres of govt. Of Arunachal pradesh

Being chosen as winner of the Arunachal Pradesh Social Entrepreneurship Meet, Arogyam Medisoft has deployed HaemurEx & Arogyam Health Platform in Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh, under the supervision of DMO, since November 2020, connecting District Hospitals with community heath-centers (CHC), primary health centers & sub centers, providing e-Healthcare, essential diagnostic and essential medicines. Arogyam provides all types of the technology infrastructure, training by teaming up with a local partner, in collaboration with Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh. physicians from leading centers across India and USA are providing treatment using Arogyam Health Terminal in Arunachal. Effectiveness of the program will be evaluated in next 6 months to decide on speed of further scale up.

Training is going on with Arogyam’s help in Arunachal

Health clinics going on using HaemurEx and Arogyam Tele-Health Platform in Arunachal Pradesh

In employee health centers of a plantation in African country

Arogyam Medisoft has deployed HaemurEx & Arogyam Health Platform for a plantation in African country, where the company wants to extend facility of modern medicine for safety and welfare of its employee in affordable and accessible way.

Conclusion

The HaemurEx device and the Arogyam Health platform has huge potential in rural health during this pandemic situation due to its ease of use, portability, no dependence on external power supply and calibration-independent nature. This system can be used in all primary health centers and sub-centers and outreach clinics in combination with provisioning of physician consultation and essential medicine. In future, a micro entrepreneur-based model using local partner is envisioned, ensuring local livelihood generation in the rural areas. If the plan can be deployed over 600 health centers through one particular state, it can generate employment of 1000-1200 rural youth.  It can also be linked with National Rural Health Mission, Pradhan Mantri Jan Oshudhi Program and Ayushman Bharat Wellness clinic programs. It can improve preventive health and wellness and as well can reduce pressure on hospitals. This, in turn, can advance universal access to healthcare in countries like India.

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