How E-Sanjeevani Is Bringing Doctors to Remote India: PM Modi

New Delhi, October 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday turned the spotlight on e-Sanjeevani, the country's telemedicine platform, while addressing the 139th edition of 'Mann Ki Baat'. He explained how the service is proving to be a lifeline for residents of remote and hard-to-reach parts of India.

The Prime Minister backed his remarks with several examples. In Baratang island of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a seven-year-old child from the Jarawa tribe, Oho-Tahane, was running a high fever and having trouble breathing. Local health workers used e-Sanjeevani to connect with a specialist doctor. Diagnostic tests showed pneumonia, and after the child came under the specialist's care, his condition began to improve steadily.

A similar story unfolded in Kalpeni, Lakshadweep. Kunhi Koya, around 60 years of age, fell seriously ill one day. Through e-Sanjeevani, the local team reached an experienced doctor in Kavaratti, across the sea. The doctor guided the local medical team, bringing Kunhi Koya much-needed relief.

Prime Minister Modi also spoke about Kunjang Dolma of Zanskar in Ladakh, who developed complications during pregnancy. At this difficult time, e-Sanjeevani came to her aid, and a specialist doctor responded without delay.

He further mentioned Mishem, a 12-year-old from Peren in Nagaland, who was suffering from an ear infection and fever. She too benefited from the service, as the expert doctor quickly diagnosed the problem and suggested the right medicines.

Reflecting on the change over time, Prime Minister Modi said there was a period when visiting a doctor or undergoing even a simple health check-up could take a great deal of time and effort. Today, he noted, nearly 1.90 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the country are bringing new healthcare facilities closer to people.

He described these centres as taking shape as wellness centres within panchayats. The most heartening development, he said, is that villagers are now going for regular check-ups to stay healthy, with e-Sanjeevani playing a major part in this positive shift.

e-Sanjeevani is a national telemedicine service operated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Through smartphones, tablets or laptops, citizens can consult doctors and medical specialists online from their homes. The service is designed to remove the distance between doctors and patients.