New Delhi, India
4th September heralded a new era in the history of government hospitals in India when Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Space and Atomic Energy launched the "Appointment From Home" facility at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Thursday. In a first of its kind, this facility will allow patients to book an appointment for an operation, from the comfort of their homes. The patients can dial the number 09266092660 from anywhere in the country. They will then be connected to an "Interactive Voice Response" (IVR) service following which a pre-recorded voice will inquire about the OPD Department where the appointment is sought and also furnish information regarding the different dates available for the same.
Sharing his views on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh opined that the last two decades have witnessed an unprecedented IT revolution and it should be optimally harnessed in the healthcare sector to ensure the best services for patient care. Reminiscing about his days at the AIIMS, he criticized the earlier process for making an entire day unproductive for the patients, who, for the afternoon super-specialty OPD, had to physically line up in a queue from 10 o'clock in the morning and after procuring OPD cards again wait outside doctors' chambers for consultation. The process ended up consuming their whole day which they could have productively utilized elsewhere/
With the patient load in the Government sector hospitals increasing at an overwhelmingly fast pace, the Resident Doctors as well as Para-Medical and Nursing Staff are under immense pressure. Hence, the use of e-technology in healthcare will help to save a lot of time and energy, which can instead be devoted to patient care, Dr. Singh said.
On behalf of the Science and Technology Ministry headed by him, Dr Jitendra Singh also assured AIIMS of all the support required to further the process of e-health car. He also added that in near future, the AIIMS will have the provision for online counseling for aspirants to MBBS, MD, DM Exams as well as online entrance examination facility.
Prof. Dr. M.C. Mishra, Director AIIMS felicitated Dr Jitendra Singh on this occasion for his exceptionally encouraging patronage which he said would help in revamping the various facilities at AIIMS. Also present on the occasion were Mission Director e-Governance at AIIMS Dr. Gailora, Medical Superintendent Dr. D.K. Sharma, Dr. Sanjiv Bhoi, Joint Secretary, Health Sandeep Naik and Dr. Deepak Agarwal.