Nagaram e-PHC to be ready by April

Suryapet: In order to take the corporate-level medical services to the doorstep of villagers, the State government has decided to turn Primary Health Centres (PHC) into e-PHCs with the help of IT giant Hewlett-Packard (HP).

As part of the pilot project, PHC in Nagaram of Suryapet district has been selected as one of three PHCs for the revamp.

In an e-PHC, whenever the patient visits the PHC with ailments like fever, stomach ache, head ache, animal and snake bites etc. then the respective duty doctor examines the patient and gives treatment and medicines as in the past.

Whereas, when patients suffering with cardiac, kidney, liver ailments and cancers approach the PHC, after basic examination and tests, along with patient the doctor will interact with respective NIMS specialists through video conference and explain the health status of the patient in detail, and if necessary send reports to them online for future study of the case.

Following the advice of specialist doctors, the local PHC doctor will prescribe the medicine and give necessary treatment to the patient. If the prescribed medicine of specialist is available at e-PHC pharmacy then it would be handed over to the patient immediately, otherwise the pharmacist concerned will request for the drug required and will hand over the medicine to the respective patient soon it arrives at the PHC.

In this joint venture, the State government provides hospital building, qualified doctors, pharmacist, medicines, supporting staff, testing equipment and internet facility.

Whereas, the IT company provides a video conference hall, at an estimated cost of Rs 40 lakh, consisting of two LCD screens, one CCTV camera and two computers besides air conditioners in the room .

Speaking to The Hans India, District Collector Surendra Mohan informed that the works of e-PHC at Nagaram would start within 10 days and completed by March end. People of Nagaram can avail the services from the first week of April, he added.

Lauding the e-PHC concept, Nagaram PHC doctor Williams stated that now corporate-level treatment would be provided to the needy free of cost.