Darj district health department launches tele-medicine service

SNS,  SILIGURI,  6  AUGUST 21 : The Darjeeling district health department has launched tele-medicine clinics under the state government's 'Swasthya Ingit' for the people, especially those living in remote areas, so that they can have easy access to medical advise from specialist doctors.

According to health department officials, the initiative will reduce pressure on the people visiting outpatient departments at hospitals, including the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) daily from far-off areas. The new service will be operational between 9 am and 4 pm.

Under the project, people can avail of the facility from the 'Suswasthya Kendras' (health centres).

"The project has already been started in Darjeeling district. People will benefit from the scheme, as tele-medicine facility will be helpful for them in getting the much-needed advice from specialists on any disease, especially on non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes initially. People living in the remote areas can talk to doctors of hospitals and the NBMCH and explain their problems through the virtual mode," said the district chief medical officer of health, Dr Pralay Acharya.

Officials said the facility will be beneficial for people as they did need not stand in long queues amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The prescriptions to the people will be provided online, officials said.