With the Jammu and Kashmir government extending telemedicine to serve the needs of those living in remote areas, we have taken a great leap forward in providing equitable healthcare.
Through working with local PHC and having specialist physicians ‘connect’ with patients by way of telehealth services, this digital service brings medical expertise directly into one’s home. When this happens, it dramatically decreases the amount of time that patients must travel great distances to get the medical attention they need.
By investing in improved rural healthcare systems, specialist physician advice will no longer be limited to large metropolitan areas, but will be able to provide consults to people living in rural areas.
This effort to ‘close the gap’ and to provide high-quality, accessible healthcare services to all citizens represents a significant commitment by the government.
Patients living in remote, rural locations will no longer have to travel outside of their region to seek services; therefore, they will experience a reduction in travel costs, hassle, and time spent getting to and from the specialist physicians.
As part of a larger initiative to enhance diagnostic and hospital services throughout Jammu and Kashmir, telemedicine will also have a broader purpose to enhance delivery of outpatient services locally, thus improving the efficiency of larger hospitals in terms of the resources needed for surgeries and specialist care.
For those living in rural areas, eliminating the day-long trip they must take to Srinagar or Jammu will equate to a reduction of transportation, lodging, and income-tax deductions. Cost of travel represents approximately 60% reduction in overall cost incurred as a result of using telemedicine services.
It goes without saying that this is more of an aspiration than a means of emergency assistance. Through the focus on the final leg in health care delivery, the administration is developing a national model that utilises advances in technology to create a more compassionate approach to health care around the world.
In addition, with the assistance of local governmental agencies, high-quality health centres throughout Jammu and Kashmir are now available to be accessed by every member of the public quickly and efficiently.
This advancement represents the beginning of a completely new phase of digital health care within Jammu and Kashmir.
