Govt Unveils AI-Supported Mobile Clinic 'Aarogya-Doctors on Wheels' for Remote Udhampur in J&K

With 'Aarogya,' patients can describe their ailments in their native language. The AI-driven system understands the language and responds accordingly.

Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, has launched "Aarogya-Doctors on Wheels," an AI-supported telemedicine mobile clinic. The facility has been launched to provide healthcare services in the remote hilly areas of Ramnagar region in Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir.

The state-of-the-art tele-clinic utilises AI to extend healthcare facilities to regions where such services are either unavailable or insufficient.

Dr Singh highlighted the importance of this initiative in line with PM Narendra Modi's commitment to reaching healthcare to the farthest corners of the country, leveraging the latest technological advancements.

'Aarogya' employs an innovative methodology that allows patients to describe their ailments in their native language. This AI-powered system can comprehend the language and respond appropriately to it.

Patients are then connected with leading super specialists in the country, as the telemedicine hospital has collaborated with renowned medical institutions. The entire process, including patient profiling and investigations, concludes within 40 to 50 minutes, providing patients with free-of-cost prescriptions.

The implementation of 'Aarogya' occurred in four phases, starting in the far-flung Gandoh area of district Doda. The subsequent phases covered 'Zero Line' villages along the International Border, upper reaches of Bilawar, and will soon extend to Dudu Basantgarh in the upper reaches of Ramnagar block, Udhampur.

Dr Singh encouraged locals to make the most of this doorstep healthcare service, emphasising that doctors are now accessible directly to their doorsteps through this super-specialised hospital on wheels.

J& K's Fortified Digital Health Infrastructure

Simultaneously, in response to government efforts, Jammu & Kashmir stands on the brink of inaugurating its own All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Vijaypur, Samba district. With a budget of INR 1,661 Cr, the project has undergone on-the-spot inspection by Dr Jitendra Singh, urging swift completion. The project allocates funds for infrastructure, pre-construction, non-medical furniture, and medical equipment, with a target completion date of January 2024.
In the same vein, Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha, recently unveiled India's first Tele-MANAS chatbot during the 'J-K Health Conclave.' This chatbot aims to provide 24/7 access to health counsellors and psychologists, reinforcing mental health support in the region.
Recently, this month, in Karnataka, the Health and Welfare Minister Dinest Gundu Rao inaugurated a Tele ICU facility at Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) and Hospital in Hubballi. This facility, in collaboration with the department of health and family welfare, offers specialised health advice to patients admitted to village and taluk-level hospitals, reducing the burden on district hospitals

In parallel healthcare developments on November 23, the Borderless World Foundation (BWF) introduced "DALPARI," an advanced life support ambulance boat, in Dal Lake, Srinagar. Equipped with cardiac monitors, defibrillators, oxygen support, and trained paramedics, DALPARI aims to provide immediate medical assistance to residents and tourists around Dal Lake during emergencies.

Additionally, the Scan and Share queue management facility achieved a significant milestone in J&K hospitals, generating nearly six lakh tokens within four months of its launch. The QR-based OPD registration system was progressively extended from government medical colleges to district hospitals and, ultimately, community health centres, enhancing efficiency and accessibility across healthcare facilities.

Further, a few other digital healthcare initiatives taken by the J& K government include: the Digi-Dost program and CSC-Aadhaar Seva Kendras at the block level.

The first one offers citizen-centric governance by facilitating doorstep delivery of services. It enhances accessibility to essential services, particularly in far-flung regions where accessibility was once a hindrance.

The introduction of CSC-Aadhaar Seva Kendras is another initiative taken by the said government to improve healthcare services.