Healthcare in India

Digital tools are increasingly being applied to support the response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in India and elsewhere globally.

This article draws from global frameworks to explore the use of digital tools in the state of Kerala across the domains of communication, surveillance, clinical management, non-clinical support, and core health system readiness and response.

Kerala is considered India’s first digital state, with the highest percentage of households with computers (24%) and the internet (51%) in India, 95% mobile phone penetration, 62% smartphone penetration and 75% digital literacy. Kerala has long been a model for the early adoption of digital technology for education and health.

As part of the pandemic response, technology has been used across private and public sectors, including law enforcement, health, information technology and education. Efforts have sought to ensure timely access to health information, facilitate access to entitlements, monitor those under quarantine and track contacts, and provide healthcare services though telemedicine.

Kerala’s COVID-19 pandemic response showcases the diverse potential of digital technology, the importance of building on a strong health system foundation, the value of collaboration, and the ongoing challenges of data privacy and equity in digital access.

The Medical College hospital (MCH) in Thiruvananthapuram, is a prominent healthcare institution in Kerela and attracts thousands of patients every day.

MCH has undergone a series of changes in a bid to present itself as patient-friendly with special emphasis on technology.

1. The process to improve facilities at MCH kickstarted under the government’s ‘Aardram’ mission which aims to introduce a variety of technologies that will strengthen patient infrastructure at hospitals and make them easier to consult doctors.

2. An advanced virtual queue management system has been established through which patients at Akshaya centres, through computers at taluk hospitals can take appointments of doctors at a specific time and date.

3. Instead of waiting for hours at the hospital, patients can now get virtual tokens and just arrive at the hospital at the time of their appointment. This is aimed at eliminating extra crowds at the hospital during those hours.

4. SMS messages will be sent to the patient reminding them of their doctor appointments.

5. Through the e-health system, doctors at MCH can also avail a patient’s medical information via Aadhaar. This will help multiple doctors seeing the same patient access his/her medical history resulting in a fruitful exchange of information.

6. Doctors will soon be able to record their prescriptions digitally on their computer systems which will help them better treat their patients when the latter come for the next appointment. Officials at the pharmacy can also access these records helping in better delivery of medicines.

7. For the past one month, the entire OP block of the MCH barring a floor has been colour-coded for the benefit of patients. “The OP at MCH is vast and many a time, patients find it difficult to find the right OP and the doctor they wish to consult. We have set up LED systems on each floor guiding patients to the right blocks,” Dr Jose said.

8. LED lights in blue, orange, green and red have been set up for each department of the OP.

9. There are wall paintings along with normal signboards as part of patient-friendly measures to identify key departments.