National Conference on Universal Access to Healthcare Highlights the Role of Digital Solutions for Rural and Remote Areas

National conference on “Universal Access to Healthcare: Digital Solutions”, organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in collaboration with the Sankala Foundation and supported by NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, brought together healthcare practitioners, government officials, experts, innovators, and policymakers to explore how digital healthcare can provide affordable, quality services to rural, remote, and hilly regions.

In his address, Dr V.K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, emphasised the transformative changes underway in India’s health sector. He stressed the importance of strengthening the primary healthcare system to reduce the healthcare burden in later life. He outlined five key principles for digital health solutions: ensuring inclusivity and protection of human rights, scaling digital technologies without widening the digital divide, promoting ease of use, improving the quality of life, and incorporating traditional knowledge to accelerate healthcare actions.

Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra also highlighted the role of the national digital mission in expanding healthcare access and addressing disparities between rural and urban areas.

Bharat Lal, Secretary General of NHRC, described healthcare as a fundamental human right and emphasised that good health is essential for realising human potential. He noted NHRC’s expanding focus on healthcare issues, such as mental health and leprosy, and the need to involve multiple stakeholders to enhance the quality of life through digital solutions.

The conference included the release of a report titled "Leveraging Digital Solutions for Universal Health Coverage," based on research and field studies by the Sankala Foundation. Three technical sessions were held, addressing "Models of Change in Healthcare," "Future Frontiers in Digital Health," and "Technology-enabled Universal Health Coverage." The report is based on Digital Nerve Centre (DiNC), which is a collaborative initiative between TATA Medical and Diagnostics (TATA MD) and the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka. Currently, the program covers 90 healthcare facilities, including 82 primary health centres (PHCs), two community health centres (CHCs), five taluka (sub-district) hospitals, and one district hospital.

Prominent attendees of the conference included Madhukar Kumar Bhagat, Joint Secretary (E-Health), Dr. Basant Garg, Additional CEO, National Health Authority, Girish Krishnamurthy, CEO and Managing Director, Tata MD; and representatives from WHO, UNDP, civil society, start-ups, and state governments.