New Delhi: Glocal Healthcare, a pioneering health-tech social enterprise, is revolutionizing healthcare accessibility and innovation through its Telemedicine program under the National Health Mission, Government of Madhya Pradesh. By providing specialist doctor consultations to over 500 primary health centers (PHCs) in rural areas across 20 districts, Glocal’s innovative approach is bridging the gap in healthcare accessibility.
In regions characterized by dense forests and tribal communities, where the shortage of doctors has been a longstanding challenge, Glocal Healthcare’s telemedicine program has emerged as a beacon of hope. By harnessing the power of technology, people in underserved areas are now able to connect with specialist doctors from major cities such as Bhopal, Delhi, NOIDA and Jaipur, ensuring that expert medical guidance is just a click away.
Glocal Healthcare Systems stands as a shining example of ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare in rural India. Founded by Dr Sabahat S. Azim, a medical doctor and ex-IAS officer in 2010, Glocal is addressing the pressing healthcare issues that have long plagued underserved communities.
With a dedicated team of professionals, Glocal Healthcare is on a mission to revolutionize healthcare delivery. The organization has leveraged cutting-edge technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Point of Care (PoC) devices, and AI-enabled Clinical Decision Support System to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment. Through this initiative, Glocal Healthcare connects more than 1.5 lakh patients in Madhya Pradesh to specialist doctors every month, empowering patients with expert medical guidance.
Dr. Sabahat S. Azim – the Founder and Chairman of Glocal Healthcare Systems, said, “As the Telemedicine program completes its successful two-year journey, it has already provided consultations to over 23 lakh patients in rural areas, offering them access to the specialized medical care they might have otherwise never received. The initiative has been especially useful in addressing Non-Communicable Diseases. About 6% of the telemedicine patients have been diagnosed with NCDs. Of these patients, more than 60% are battling Hypertension, while 30% are dealing with diabetes. NCDs not only impact people’s health but also hinder their potential productivity, posing a substantial burden on society.”
Diabetes and Hypertension have hitherto been thought of as urban diseases, but their incidence in rural India is significant. Specialist doctors will not go to remote rural areas, and without any innovation, it is impossible to cater to the NCD challenge of this population. In recognition of the outstanding achievements of the telemedicine initiative, Glocal Healthcare received the prestigious Gold award for “Excellence in Social Initiatives” at FICCI’s Healthcare Excellence Awards in October 2022.
Glocal Healthcare’s relentless commitment to democratizing healthcare access, especially in remote and underserved areas, reaffirms its role as a transformative force in the healthcare industry. The Telemedicine program’s impact in combating NCDs and improving the lives of countless individuals is a testament to the power of innovation and technology in healthcare.