eSanjeevani Telemedicine Service
The Government of India, through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has launched the eSanjeevani Telemedicine Service — a flagship digital health initiative enhancing access to quality healthcare while reducing the need for in-person consultations and out-of-pocket expenses.
In Kerala, eSanjeevani was officially launched on 10th June 2020 in response to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Modes of Service Delivery- eSanjeevani OPD: Direct patient-to-doctor teleconsultations for convenient access to medical specialists without visiting healthcare facilities.
- eSanjeevani HWC (Doctor-to-Doctor): Teleconsultations between community-level providers and specialists to strengthen referral systems and ensure continuity of care.
Both services are free for the public, with General OPD available 24/7.
A wide pool of doctors serve through eSanjeevani, including those from:
- Kerala Health Services
- Department of Medical Education
- National Health Mission (NHM)
- Empanelled private specialists
This ensures comprehensive, timely, and expert medical care across specialities.
Key Advantages
- Enables palliative and follow-up care for bedridden patients.
- Reaches remote and tribal populations who lack access to traditional care.
- Field healthcare personnel facilitate consultations, enhancing outreach.
Since inception:
- 23.24 lakh total teleconsultations
- 17.19 lakh via Doctor-to-Doctor (HWC)
- 5.64 lakh through OPD
Daily usage averages between 2,100 to 2,300 individuals.
The platform is widely used by frontline workers during community outreach, ensuring last-mile healthcare delivery.
Conclusion- Reduces need for physical hospital visits.
- Lowers cost of medical consultations.
- Improves accessibility and efficiency, especially in underserved areas.
Through continuous enhancement and cross-sector collaboration, eSanjeevani reflects the government’s commitment to equitable, accessible, and patient-centred healthcare across Kerala.
