A first, Batala gets e-clinic
Tribune News Service
Batala, September 13
The state government on Monday established the first of its kind e-clinic at the Batala Civil Hospital. Middle-aged city based diabetic patient — Harvinder Singh — became the first ever patient to be treated through the facility. Harvinder was given medicines by a Patiala-based government doctor sitting 250 km away.
The novel healthcare initiative was inaugurated virtually by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh. Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu accompanied the CM during the event. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ishfaq and SDM Shayari Bhandari were present at the civil hospital.
The initiative is the brainchild of Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC) chairman Ashwani Sekhri. “It is people from the lower strata of society who visit government hospitals. The rich make their way to expensive private hospitals, while the poor come here. With this facility, a patient can avail any specialised doctor’s advice in Punjab. The software is such designed that based on a patient’s symptoms, a government doctor, who at that time is not busy with his official work, comes online and listens to the patient,” said Sekhri.
He added that with the launch of e-clinic, travelling will be reduced. “The clinic gives you the facility of discussing your problems with senior medical practitioners, without a need to visit them personally,” said Sekhri.
He said the Batala Civil Hospital had been selected as a pilot project. “If it is successful, then other hospitals in Punjab will also get the facility,” he added.
