Bhopal: Smart City’s e-healthcare to Begin in 10 Days

The smart city project is going to give a big push to e-healthcare in the city. In about 10 days’ time, a cargo trailer parked in the middle of New Market would connect patients with specialists from Apollo hospital. The OPD would cost about ₹150, while expert consultation with specialists in a Metro would cost ₹1100. The tele-medicine initiative would test the Bhopal smart city development corporation limited (BSCDCL) again as similar efforts by health department have failed earlier even after investment of crores. For BSCDCL, the investment is for providing space. Much of the diagnostics and connectively along with manpower would be through collaboration with Hewlett-Packard (HP) Enterprises. “The project aims to leverage expertise from specialists and improve e-healthcare,” said BSCDCL CEO Sanjay Kumar.

The cargo trailer has been stationed at the main parking in New Market. However, it would be shifted to a better location near the bus stand. Interestingly, OPD services and consultation in the healthcare hub would be beyond usual office hours. Smart city project aims to keep open the facility during shopping hours. The service is not expected to handle emergencies but would provide for specialist consultation with experts in various fields. Appointment through a dedicated 100 Mbps fiber optic network would also mean that doctors on the other side of tele-conferencing can view live-feed and review patients’ data. BSCDCL has inked an MoU with the private hospital in this regard, Sanjay Kumar added. The 20×8 feet shipping container would connect patients for remote consultation with specialists of pediatrics, nephrology, neurology, cardiology among others. A dedicated lifestyle diseases sensitization camp is also likely to be held, said sources. – TOI