Technology is the body pool of knowledge applied to materials and processes to integrate and enhance its applications, output and outreach. Advancing technology has seen the inception, adoption and growth of information and communication technology take gigantic strides. Today we are the benefactors of technology advancement, enriching every aspect of our lives. From education, communication, entertainment, banking and healthcare to name a few sectors. The convergence of technologies in the field of medicine has helped us access the best of modern medical knowledge, processes, intervention/s, outcomes and support. It has given us a structure of an emerging optimal healthcare construct. Typically, in India there exists a stark divide demarcating the urban and rural in most aspects, healthcare included.
Globally, the rural healthcare infrastructure in developing and developed countries is primarily beset with similar conditions of affordability, lack of trained clinicians, distance and accessibility while the developed nations along with technological interfaces have implemented a mandatory health coverage which is either public or privately managed. The health coverage or insurance ensures covering cost of hospitalization and treatment. Rural healthcare is leveraging on technological support, remote patient care devices, virtual care centers supported by integrating real-time data exchange and image guided procedures providing early diagnosis, treatment and aftercare. As also seen, in the rural healthcare in developed nations the workforce training and incentivization is another area that is boosting healthcare permeability into the remotest of regions
As we speak, tech driven healthcare has grown to integrate mobile and wireless technologies that cater not only to the digitization of healthcare, patient data management, but has grown into a domain that not only sets reminders, remotely tracks vital signs
In my opinion, bridging the Rural-Urban healthcare gap highlights the importance of immediate intervention required not merely by the government agencies but also collective effort and emphasis of the private healthcare stakeholders. As per a report by United Nations, the urban concentration of healthcare infrastructure and medical specialists stands at 73% in the urban segment, whilst 27% is placed in the rural segment. Convergent technology and upscaling internet accessibility can prove to be an enabler to bridge this gap. Training the service providers and the beneficiaries will see better adoption rates and trust in the drive. We live in such times where the true potential of technology can be harnessed by bringing the entire ecosystem together including the financial investments into R&D to provide affordable and accessible top-notch healthcare for all. The motto could be training teach and increase the reach
With these services the government aims at improving healthcare access by managing and improving the doctor-patient reach, increase remote consultation, real time vital checks, on-time diagnosis and remote patient monitoring. The technology guided model is also addressing other visible challenges in providing competent healthcare in the rural areas primarily; affordability, suboptimal infrastructure, subpar equipment, insufficient medicine supply, lack of trained and qualified manpower, absenteeism of staff, unauthorized medical practices, incorrect diagnosis and uncertified medical practitioners
Typically, in India there exists a stark divide demarcating the urban and rural in most aspects, healthcare included.
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