Continuing with my research on ‘challenges in rural healthcare and how digital technology is an enabler in addressing the healthcare needs of rural communities’, this time, I ventured into the state with the highest literacy rate, Kerala.
I visited two assisted telemedicine clinics in rural areas of Trivandrum, managed by the Citizens India Foundation in collaboration with the Caare Foundation and NIMS Medicity. Both these clinics are very strategically placed to provide easy access to local communities – one inside the premises of Chenkal Maheswaram Siva Temple and another in Vellarada, which was less than a kilometre away from the government-managed Community Healthcare Centre.
These centres are not just offering specialised healthcare services in the villages through assisted telemedicine; they are making a significant difference to local communities. During my visit, I was impressed by the expertise of consulting doctors at these clinics and Mr. Manoj Kumar of the Citizens India Foundation. Interacting with the patients, I observed a stark difference in their attitude towards health-seeking behaviour in comparison to lower literate states in India. This reinforces my belief that scaling up such initiatives across villages can create health awareness and bring a positive change in the attitude of people in rural areas.
I am grateful to the Chandramouli Samatham, Caare Foundation and Citizens India Foundation for their pivotal role in this groundbreaking initiative of providing access to essential as well as specialised services at no cost. Their efforts are creating a significant impact, making affordable and quality healthcare a reality for underserved communities.
Arti Jain – Research Scholar
SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) – Top Ranked Business School
