I recently learned about the Maharashtra state government's ambitious launch of e-Sushrut, an upgraded health management information system (HMIS), spearheaded by Health Minister Prakash Abitkar. This initiative aims to digitize patient records across 2,100 healthcare centers, marking a significant stride towards a more streamlined and efficient public health infrastructure Patient records at 2,100 centres to be digitised.
It is truly gratifying to see such progress. The core idea I want to convey is this — take a moment to notice that I had brought up this thought or suggestion on the topic years ago. I had already predicted this outcome or challenge, and I had even proposed a solution at the time. Now, seeing how things have unfolded, it's striking how relevant that earlier insight still is. Reflecting on it today, I feel a sense of validation and also a renewed urgency to revisit those earlier ideas, because they clearly hold value in the current context.
Indeed, I have long advocated for a comprehensive, tech-enabled healthcare system. Back in 2021, in my blog titled "Thank You, Shri Mansukh Mandaviyaji" Thank You, Shri Mansukh Mandaviyaji, I discussed how government hospitals were being advised to procure HMIS software, specifically mentioning e-Sushrut by C-DAC and e-Hospital by NIC. I highlighted how Prime Minister Narendra Modi's (n.modi@india.gov.in) Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission aimed to provide every Indian with a unique Health ID linked to personal health records. The current rollout under Prakash Abitkar's leadership is a direct manifestation of this vision, reinforcing the belief that a digital backbone is indispensable for modern healthcare.
My reflections go back even further. In "Modicare: A Game Changer" Modicare : A Game Changer from 2018, I outlined a detailed proposal for an Ayushman Eco System, emphasizing the need for an 'Ayushman Card' (linked to Aadhaar ID) with inbuilt memory for a person’s health data from "Cradle to Grave." I asserted that all health data for beneficiaries should be stored on a Central Server for Big Data analysis, enabling predictions about potential ailments. This concept of a unified, accessible digital health history is precisely what e-Sushrut and ABHA aim to achieve today.
While the digitisation of patient records is a commendable first step, my earlier thoughts also stressed the importance of integrating the entire health ecosystem. In another reflection, also titled "Thank You, Shri Mansukh Mandaviyaji" Thank You, Shri Mansukh Mandaviyaji, I noted that a comprehensive system must cover the supply of medicines, medical devices (both preventive and curative), and the delivery of services. Simply put, digital records must be synchronized with procurement and distribution channels to truly enhance accessibility and adherence.
The logistical challenges ahead, such as ensuring interoperability across diverse digital health platforms, both state and private, and fortifying cybersecurity, are indeed significant. Training healthcare personnel to adapt seamlessly to these new systems will also be crucial. These are areas I have touched upon, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts with the National Health Authority to align state-level digitisation with the broader Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
This journey towards a resilient, secure, and inclusive digital health ecosystem is long, but each step, like the e-Sushrut initiative, reaffirms the path I envisioned years ago.
Regards, Hemen Parekh
Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai
No comments:
Post a Comment