IN NEWS: eSanjeevani Achieves 10 Crore Teleconsultations Milestone
Introduction
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted that eSanjeevani has crossed a major milestone of 10 crore teleconsultations, marking a significant step in India’s digital health transformation. The platform has emerged as the world’s largest telemedicine implementation in primary healthcare.
ANALYSIS
1. Key Achievements and Data Highlights
The platform demonstrates rapid expansion and deep penetration:
- Total beneficiaries: Over 10 crore patients
- Daily peak consultations: Over 5 lakh consultations/day
- Health Infrastructure:
- 1,15,234 Health & Wellness Centres (Spokes)
- 15,731 Hubs
- 1,152 Online OPDs
- Human Resources:
- 2,29,057 trained medical specialists and super-specialists
Social Inclusion Indicators
- Women beneficiaries: Over 57%
- Senior citizens: Around 12%
This reflects strong outreach among vulnerable and underserved populations.
eSanjeevani Consultations
| Sl. No. | State | Total (HWC + OPD) | eSanjeevani AB-HWC | eSanjeevani OPD |
|---|
| 1 | Uttar Pradesh | 5,498,907 | 3,719,931 | 1,778,976 |
| 2 | Madhya Pradesh | 4,015,879 | 4,009,244 | 6,635 |
| 3 | Bihar | 3,220,415 | 3,154,283 | 66,132 |
| 4 | Uttarakhand | 910,672 | 163,045 | 747,627 |
| 5 | Rajasthan | 682,518 | 579,341 | 103,177 |
| 6 | Jharkhand | 644,597 | 631,929 | 12,668 |
| 7 | Haryana | 359,580 | 189,717 | 169,863 |
| 8 | Himachal Pradesh | 286,097 | 280,910 | 5,187 |
2. Operational Architecture
The platform operates in two distinct modes:
| Mode | Description |
|---|
| eSanjeevani AB-HWC | Provider-to-Provider (Hub-and-Spoke model via Health & Wellness Centres) |
| eSanjeevani OPD | Patient-to-Provider (Direct consultation from home) |
This dual structure ensures last-mile connectivity and universal accessibility.
3. Technological and Governance Significance
eSanjeevani represents a major advancement in ICT-enabled healthcare delivery:
- Cloud-based digital platform ensuring scalability
- Integration with Health & Wellness Centres under Ayushman Bharat
- Facilitates real-time consultation across geographies
- Supports digital health records and policy planning
It effectively addresses challenges of:
- Geographical barriers
- Doctor-patient ratio gaps
- Healthcare affordability and accessibility
4. Role During COVID-19 Pandemic
During the pandemic, eSanjeevani became a critical healthcare lifeline:
- Enabled remote consultations during lockdowns
- Reduced hospital crowding and infection risks
- Provided continuous access to healthcare services
It showcased the importance of digital resilience in public health systems.
5. Future Developments: eSanjeevani 2.0
The next phase aims to expand capabilities:
- Introduction of telediagnosis services
- Integration with Point of Care Diagnostic Devices (PoCDs)
- Enhanced security and scalability architecture
- Nationwide rollout across all States and UTs
This will transform the platform from consultation-based to comprehensive digital healthcare delivery.
6. Broader Implications
- Democratization of Healthcare: Access to expert doctors from remote areas
- Digital India Strengthening: Aligns with e-governance vision
- Universal Health Coverage: Supports Ayushman Bharat goals
- Data-Driven Policy: Enables evidence-based healthcare planning
STATIC PART
eSanjeevani
- Launched: November 2019
- Developed by: Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Mohali
- Nature: Government-owned telemedicine platform
- Objective:
- Provide free teleconsultation services
- Ensure equitable healthcare access
- Strengthen primary healthcare delivery
Ayushman Bharat Scheme
- Launched: 2018
- Objective: Universal Health Coverage
- Components:
- Health & Wellness Centres
- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
- Established: 1988
- Headquarters: Pune
- Function:
- R&D in IT, electronics, and advanced computing
- Development of indigenous digital platforms
Conclusion
eSanjeevani has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s digital health ecosystem, demonstrating how technology can bridge systemic gaps in healthcare delivery. With the rollout of eSanjeevani 2.0, India is poised to move towards a comprehensive, integrated, and inclusive digital healthcare model, reinforcing its commitment to accessible and affordable healthcare for all.
Updated - 16 February 2023 ; 5:44 PM | PIB
News Source: Press Information Bureau