Healthcare Without Barriers: Telemedicine for All
Telemedicine is a modern way of providing medical services using digital technology. It helps people talk to doctors and receive treatment without having to visit hospitals or clinics. This system became especially useful during the COVID-19 pandemic, when travelling and direct contact were restricted.
Kerala is the first state in India to introduce AYUSH services through the national telemedicine platform called e-Sanjeevani. During the lockdown, AYUSH doctors from the Health Department and the National AYUSH Mission provided telemedicine services using special consoles.
Telemedicine makes healthcare more accessible for everyone - people living in remote villages, elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and parents who find it difficult to travel with children. It allows citizens to get outpatient care easily from the safety of their homes.
The Government of India launched e-Sanjeevani through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to improve access to quality medical care. The aim is to reduce the need for physical consultations and lower the expenses paid by patients.
In Kerala, e-Sanjeevani officially started on 10 June 2020, in response to the challenges during the pandemic.
Two Types of Services
eSanjeevani OPD – Patients can directly consult doctors online for medical advice.
eSanjeevani HWC (Doctor-to-Doctor) – Doctors in Health and Wellness Centres can connect with specialist doctors for expert guidance.
Both services are completely free for the public. The General OPD service is available 24 hours a day, making it easy to access healthcare at any time.
Doctors from various departments support the e-Sanjeevani system. These include medical professionals from Kerala Health Services, the Department of Medical Education, the National Health Mission, and empanelled private specialists. With such a wide pool of experts, people are assured of timely, accurate, and specialized medical care from the comfort of their homes.
Telemedicine offers several important benefits. It enables bedridden and palliative care patients to receive follow-up consultations without traveling. It also extends healthcare services to people living in remote and tribal regions where access to hospitals may be limited. Health workers in the field help patients connect with doctors through digital platforms, ensuring that consultation reaches those who need it most. This system promotes timely care and helps prevent delays in diagnosis and treatment.
In Kerala, the impact of e-Sanjeevani has been remarkable. Since its launch, a total of 23.24 lakh teleconsultations have been provided. Among these, 17.19 lakh were conducted through the Doctor-to-Doctor mode, while 5.64 lakh were OPD consultations directly with patients. Every day, about 2,100 to 2,300 individuals make use of the telemedicine services. Frontline health workers actively utilize the platform during outreach activities, helping to deliver healthcare to the last mile and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Telemedicine reduces the need for hospital visits, saves time and money, and makes healthcare more reachable for all. By expanding digital health services like e-Sanjeevani, Kerala continues to show strong commitment towards accessible, efficient, and patient-friendly healthcare.
