The Indian health ministry and MeitY has signed an agreement to ensure telemedicine service to all citizens across India.
The National Health Agency (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to provide information and eligibility validation services to beneficiaries, especially in remote areas in the country.
According to a press statement released by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the MoU intends to implement the National Health Protection Mission Ayushman Bharat (AB-NHPM) scheme through 300,00 Common Service Centres (CSCs) in India.
The NHA is the apex body that is responsible for the implementation of the National Health Protection Mission, and Common Service Centres scheme under the Digital India Initiative. CSCs are physical facilities to deliver government e-services to rural and remote areas where computer devices and online resources are not easily accessible.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Indu Bhushan, CEO, National Health Agency (NHA) and Dr Dinesh Tyagi, CEO, Common Service Centre-Special Vehicle. Mr Jagat Prakash Nadda, Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister for Law and Justice & Information Technology were present at the signing.
The press statement released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare quoted Mr Jagat Prakash Nadda saying that through the MoU, Digital India is taking a big leap forwards and the National Health Protection Mission will be able to benefit 550 million people across the country. The 300,000 CSCs in 250,000 village councils in the country will help in the implementation of the scheme.
Dr Indu Bhushan noted that the collaboration will not only create more accessibility and transparency in the beneficiary validation process but will also spread awareness among the targeted beneficiaries. The network of CSCs is the cornerstone of Digital India and they will provide support to the flagship mission to build a healthy India.
