Eleven-month-old Angel’s constant cries due to unbearable eye pain left her daily-wage worker parents heartbroken and helpless. Seeking quality treatment seemed like a far-fetched dream, burdened by the fear of unaffordable costs. However, a timely suggestion led them to the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) at Jagnath Budhwari. There, through the telemedicine service, Angel received expert treatment from a Delhi-based pediatrician — completely free of cost. Today, she is healthy and smiling, bringing tears of joy to her parents’ eyes.
Angel’s story is one among many in Nagpur where the poor are benefiting from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s telemedicine initiative, launched under the leadership of Commissioner and Administrator Dr. Abhijit Chaudhari. Supported by WCL under its CSR initiative and operated by DigiSwasthya Foundation, the telemedicine service aims to deliver expert consultations and quality healthcare to underprivileged families at no cost.
Launched three months ago at the UPHCs in Gorewada and Jagnath Budhwari, the initiative has already helped 1,821 patients connect with top specialists from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Gurugram, Hasimara (West Bengal), Ahmedabad, and Surat. These include pediatricians, gynecologists, dermatologists, cardiologists, nephrologists, physiotherapists, and dieticians.
Other success stories include two-year-old Aryan, who was diagnosed with serious symptoms through teleconsultation and was referred to Daga Smruti Government Women’s Hospital for further treatment. Today, he is fit and healthy. Similarly, 13-year-old Kiran Ram, suffering from fatigue and weakness, was restored to full health through timely diagnosis. Skin and gynecological issues in adults like Sheela Gokhale and Nanda Hedau were also resolved through these services.
Fifty-five-year-old Rajendra Uke, who endured unbearable stomach pain for two months, credits telemedicine and expert gastroenterology consultation for his recovery and pain-free life.
The initiative allows patients at UPHCs who need specialist opinions to consult doctors via video conferencing. If advanced treatment is needed, patients are referred under schemes like Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana and Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY). Follow-ups are also ensured.
Deputy Commissioner Vasumana Pant has played a crucial role in expanding the initiative. Under the guidance of Medical Health Officer Dr. Deepak Selokar, every zone in Nagpur will soon have one UPHC offering telemedicine facilities — proving to be a lifeline for the city’s poor.
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