India has increased planned expenditure in healthcare to 2.5 % . While this is a big jump from the previous 1% of GDP, do note that it is about 5% to 10% in most civilized countries. The Indian government is now betting big on technology and eHealth. Faced with shameful data collection practices, health ministry officials are now looking at using Tablets to improve collection of health data and also improve quality of healthcare service provided at peripheral areas.
In the news almost simultaneously this week were 2 specialized tablets to be used for healthcare service providers in India.
The Kalam-Raju tablet is the result of collaboration between the former President of India, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, and well known cardiologist Dr. B. Soma Raju of Care Foundation. This Kalam-Raju tablet will help physicians and certified nurse practitioners in rural areas access patient information, diagnostic tools and new treatment procedures. The tablet shall be out within 3 to 6 months.
Also unveiled this week was another Android based Health tablet, the "Swasthya Slate" reportedly capable of providing enough information to make clinical judgements. The tablet can record body temperature, conduct ECG, test blood sugar and blood pressure, measure heart rate and also test quality of water. This is the braibchild of Kanav Kahol, a US-returned Indian biomedical engineer and is being dubbed as the first-of-its kind diagnostic tool. Swasthya Slate is likely to be ready for operation in next three months.
This is a demo of the Swasthya Slate to a class of medical officers in Odisha
If this can be achieved this is the biggest advantage India can have to combat with various health related issues and the identified trends can actually assist in better preparedness.. I so hope this succeeds and there are more such innovations in the pipeline.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, Archana.
ReplyDeleteI don't worry about the technology that much, i just hope the health workers TRY to use the innovations. The human-ware is the weak link here.
Nevertheless, i believe things are changing everyday.
Rgds,
Neel.