To curb mortality rate in villages, Sena to launch tele-medicine project at five sites on a pilot basis
In order to provide medical facilities at tribal hamlets in far-flung areas, the Shiv Sena will start a tele-medicine project at five sites on a pilot basis. It will involve the state government in the exercise later.
Health minister Dr Deepak Sawant said that work was underway. "We will initially start it at Semadoh at Melghat in Amravati, and extend it to four more sites later," said the doctor, adding that they were looking at VSAT-based connectivity (Very Small Aperture Terminal). Melghat is known for the high prevalence of infant and maternal mortality. He said that once the project takes off, they will conduct a presentation for chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and urge the involvement of the state, to provide mobile clinical care across Maharashtra.
The four other sites which have been shortlisted for this Shiv Arogya Seva project include Churmi in Melghat, two in Gadchiroli including one between Aheri and Sironcha (depending on the VSAT connectivity), and Asa in Palghar district. Patients who need urgent, specialist care can be brought to nearby cities for treatment.
"We are planning to connect 11 primary health centres in Melghat as a pilot project," said Dr Sawant, adding that otherwise, people in the tribal-dominated region need to travel several kilometers to places like Dharni for medical consultation.
Dr Sawant also said that the project would be more futuristic than the one currently being executed by the BMC, as it would not be restricted to mere video conferencing. Instead, it will involve more in-depth medical intervention, which will enable doctors to examine patients closely via the satellite communication system. A panel of around 25 specialist doctors has been created in Mumbai. These doctors will examine patients using the facility from a dedicated studio at Andheri at a designated time.
"The doctors will be able to see reports of investigations like ECGs and the data will be stored for future reference," said Dr Sawant, adding that routine follow-ups will also be enabled. The expenditure on this venture can be met through CSR funds, he suggested.
The party will launch the facility at Semadoh on February 2. Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray has also watched a demo in this regard, said Sawant, adding that they planned to enable the doctors to access the facility on their laptops.
"We are also looking at options like a mobile van which can cover villages and a stationary facility," said Sawant, adding that a mobile pathology van was also on the cards.
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