08.03.22 Daily [Andhra Pradesh] APPSC Current Affairs

Andhra Pradeshhas set a new record in providing Health Services throughtelemedicine modein the country, with nearly 42% of calls received bytelemedicinecall centres in the country from Andhra Pradesh.

According to the latest report of Union ministry of health and family welfare, which initiated the e-Sanjivani concept (telemedicine), over 1. 3 crore calls were reported to YSR telemedicine centre out of the total 2. 7 crore calls received from all the states for consultation through telemedicine in the country in the last two years. Karnataka is next with around 42 lakh calls, followed by West Bengal (20 lakh calls) and Nadu (17 lakh calls).

The 104 call centre in the state received over 10 lakh calls in a span of three months during the second wave of Covid-19 between May and July last year. The State Government deployed over 5,500 doctors, including 1,500 experts, at telemedicine centre to extend 24×7 services to patients. The services provided during the critical phase of Covid-19 spread a positive message among the public, resulting in huge number of people utilising the services in the subsequent months.

AP has a long HISTORY of telemedicine. Two decades ago, expert doctors from Hyderabad would participate in teleconsultation with patients in rural and remote areas of the state. Subsequently, the state built a strong telemedicine Network. Consultation by expert medical professionals through telemedicine and subsequent distribution of medicines by the field teams built the trust in the system, prompting more and more people to utilise the free consultation services.