Online Chikitsa Mitra Expands Telemedicine Services to Maharashtra

The start-up connects individuals living in remote areas with specialist doctors from across the country through e-clinics located at local medical stores.

Telemedicine-driven rural healthtech start-up, Online Chikitsa Mitra, has now expanded its services in Maharashtra.

This move aims to make quality healthcare accessible across the state by establishing e-clinics in key districts such as Nashik, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Jalgaon, Ahmednagar, and Sangli.

Currently operating over 500 e-clinics across more than 14 states in India, Online Chikitsa Mitra is set to add 100 new e-clinics in Maharashtra. This expansion aims to ensure that more individuals in underprivileged areas can benefit from quality healthcare.

Addressing Health Challenges

According to the state public health department, Maharashtra faces significant health challenges, including rising cases of lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension, which affect millions.

Online Chikitsa Mitra aims to tackle these issues by providing specialized healthcare services in underserved areas.

The start-up connects individuals living in remote areas with specialist doctors from across the country through e-clinics located at local medical stores.

Store owners are trained to facilitate teleconsultations for patients via a digital portal, ensuring they receive the necessary quality care and after-care without the need to travel long distances to the nearest hospital.

Commenting on the entry into Maharashtra, Smriti Tandon, cofounder of Online Chikitsa Mitra, said, "To widen our presence in the state, we are actively seeking partnerships with local medical stores. These partnerships will help us on our long-term mission to make healthcare an everyday reality for Indians and not a distant dream."

To familiarize individuals with digital health assessments and medical consultations, Online Chikitsa Mitra will organize free health check-up camps across Maharashtra.

These camps aim to introduce residents to the benefits of telemedicine and ensure they receive essential health services.

Recent Telemedicine Initiatives

Telemedicine is revolutionizing healthcare with remote consultations, diagnostics, and treatments, improving patient access and convenience.

With advancements in technology, tele-surgery, a form of telemedicine, also enables surgeons to perform operations remotely, further expanding the reach and efficiency of medical services.

Last month, the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC) claimed to have successfully performed India's first cancer surgery via telesurgery using the SSI Mantra Robot, an Indian robotic system.

In May, Apollo Telehealth launched a telemedicine-driven primary health center (PHC) in Borobeka, Manipur, in collaboration with the government of Manipur. The center aims to improve healthcare access for communities affected by recent conflicts in the state.