Patient
records at 2,100 centres to be digitised
Extract
from the article:
The state government is ambitiously digitising patient records at 2,100
healthcare centres through the launch of e-Sushrut, an upgraded health
management information system (HMIS). This initiative, rolled out by Health
Minister Prakash Abitkar, embodies a critical leap toward streamlining medical
data management and enhancing accessibility across the public health
infrastructure. By converting paper-based patient records into digital formats,
the move aims to create a seamless and efficient ecosystem for healthcare
delivery, reducing redundancy and facilitating real-time data availability.
Abitkar highlighted that all necessary systems are now in place, signaling a
readiness to fully embrace technology in health administration.
This modernization effort dovetails with national
priorities, such as the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, which envisages a
comprehensive digital health ID for every citizen linked to personal health
records. Such systemic digitisation promises to revolutionize how patient
information is stored, shared, and utilized, potentially enhancing diagnostics,
follow-up treatments, and healthcare planning. However, the scale – spanning
more than two thousand centres – presents logistical challenges including data
security, interoperability between IT systems, and training of healthcare
personnel to adapt seamlessly. Overall, this initiative marks a transformative
stride in India's pursuit of a digital health ecosystem.
My
Take:
A. Thank
You, Shri Mansukh Mandaviyaji
"Government hospitals are advised to procure Hospital Management
Information System (HMIS) software. The Centre has also made available two
solutions for the digitalization of health records for the hospitals:
e-Hospital by NIC (National Informatics Centre) and e-Sushrut by C-DAC (Center
for Development of Advanced Computing). PM Narendra Modi had launched the
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission via video-conferencing. Under the Mission,
every Indian will get a unique HEALTH ID that will also work as a HEALTH ACCOUNT
to which PERSONAL HEALTH RECORDS can be linked. The National Health Authority
(NHA) has been entrusted with the task of implementing this initiative."
Reflecting on this earlier perspective, it’s remarkable how
the current rollout of e-Sushrut at 2,100 centres is the fruition of a vision I
first discussed years ago. The deliberate push for HMIS procurement and the
emphasis on leveraging government-backed digital platforms were not theoretical
ideas but practical measures I had advocated. Now that these systems are
operational on such a vast scale validates the foresight behind those
recommendations. From my vantage point, this is more than just digitisation;
it’s a foundational change that promises to recalibrate healthcare delivery
itself, making it more patient-centric and data-driven.
B. Thank
You, Shri Mansukh Mandaviyaji
"The scheme must cover # Supply of Medicines / Medical Devices (both
preventive and curative) # Delivery."
In my ongoing reflections on healthcare reforms,
digitization initiatives like e-Sushrut signify only one pillar of a
comprehensive health management system. While digitizing patient records is an
indispensable step, the entire health ecosystem must holistically integrate the
supply chain management of medicines and devices to truly achieve universal
health coverage objectives. My blogs consistently asserted that data
infrastructure should be complemented by effective delivery systems—in medicine
provision, diagnostics, and preventive care—to harness the full benefits of
digital transformation. The announcement of e-Sushrut is a step forward, but
the next logical ambition lies in synchronizing these digital records with
medicine procurement and distribution channels, enhancing accessibility and
adherence.
Call to
Action:
Dear Honorable Health Minister Prakash Abitkar and the State Health Department,
While the launch of e-Sushrut and digitisation at 2,100 centres is commendable,
continuous efforts must be invested in ensuring interoperability among diverse
digital health platforms across states and private-public interfaces. Training
programs for healthcare workers should be rapidly scaled to maximize system
utilization and minimize digital illiteracy. Moreover, I urge you to fortify
cybersecurity frameworks to protect sensitive patient data against breaches.
Collaborating with the National Health Authority to align state-level
digitisation with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission will magnify impact.
Together, let us build a resilient, secure, and inclusive digital health
ecosystem that empowers both providers and patients alike.
With regards,
Hemen Parekh
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