Members of fisheries cooperatives in Chhattisgarh provided telemedicine facilities from AIIMS Raipur

Minister hands over Rs 50 lakh to AIIMS Raipur to kick-start pilot project

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala today launched a pilot project on telemedicine services, to be operated by AIIMS Raipur through the National Cooperatives Development Corporation (NCDC), for members of the fisheries cooperatives under the central sector flagship program Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Members of fisheries cooperatives in Chhattisgarh would now be able to consult doctors from AIIMS, Raipur for their medical needs.

Shri Parshottam Rupala, while handing over a cheque for the Rs 50 lakh to Dr. Nitin M. Nagarkar, Director and CEO of the AIIMS Raipur to kickstart the pilot project, said, “This would ensure that members of the fisheries cooperatives in Chhattisgarh, whenever in medical need, will be able to approach health specialists of AIIMS Raipur from their remote locations through telemedicine facility.”

Shri Parshottam Rupala further said, “Telehealth services have tremendous potential in our country where healthcare facilities are heavily concentrated in urban cities while those in the remote area like villages and coastal areas remain deprived of such benefits.”

“The project is a way forward towards achieving Digital India Mission as envisioned by our Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “In a pandemic-affected world, technology-enabled services including telehealth have become more relevant than ever. Given this, I am happy to inaugurate the telemedicine facility that will help bring access to quality medical consultation services to the people related to fisheries & fisheries cooperatives” he added.

Proposed as a startup activity by AIIMS, Raipur for the next three years, the project is being launched in a pilot mode from five centers namely PHC Patan (Durg district), PHC Saja (Bemetara), PHC Ratanpur (Bilaspur), PHC Dhamtari (Chamtari) and AIIMS Raipur (Raipur). It is a joint effort by the Central Government, Government of Chhattisgarh, NCDC, and AIIMS Raipur.

Later on, more districts will be covered under the project. With the launch of the facilities, the Government aims to bridge health disparities among fishermen and fisherwomen community associated with their respective cooperatives in the Chhattisgarh State, explained NCDC MD Shri Sundeep Nayak.

The decision to launch the telemedicine facility was taken after it was found that many members from the cooperatives were shying away from availing of medical services either because of living in far-off areas, poverty, or due to Covid fears.

“The idea is to extend healthcare facilities to members of fisheries cooperatives societies in remote areas as well as cut down their medical expenditure. The penetration of quality healthcare services in remote areas will also create health awareness among the fisheries community,” said Shri Sundeep Nayak. He explained that after the consultation if it was found that the patient needed more specialized treatment, an ambulance service would be available.

“It will also help them to take a more informed decision on prevention, diagnosis and health condition,” said Shri Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, while appreciating the collaborative efforts of AIIMS, Raipur with NCDC. It will be a guiding light for the startups to initiate innovative projects.

Dr. Nitin Nagarkar said that AIIMS, Raipur had already been conducting teleconsultation services for the benefit of the public, mainly residing in the tribal regions of the State. This activity was also further enhanced during this ongoing Covid pandemic. “We are happy to associate with the NCDC to provide high-quality care by providers and specialists in urban centers to the members of the fisheries cooperatives,” Dr. Nagarkar added.