AIIMS telemedicine facility for Lahaul-Spiti residents

Deepender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, January 4

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between AIIMS, Bilaspur, and the Lahaul-Spiti administration today for better health facilities to people of the district through the integrated tele-medicine platform. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR ) Centre at PGI, Chandigarh, will also be involved in it.

The MoU was signed by DC, Lahaul and Spiti, Neeraj Kumar and Director of AIIMS Dr Veer Singh Negi.

Neeraj Kumar told The Tribune, “The tribal district is not only the largest in the state, but geographical and climatic difficulties also remain a major hindrance in providing better healthcare to the people. In such a situation, the agreement will be a great relief for the people. The agreement is based on important components like telemedicine, diagnostic and patient care.”

“AIIMS will not only cooperate in the field of healthcare but also assist in research and evaluation studies in line with the National Health Policy to ensure the effective implementation of the National Health Policy in Lahaul-Spiti,” he said.

“However, the government has filled many posts of doctor in the health institutions of Lahaul and Spiti, special healthcare is yet to be available in the district. Doctors will now get direct consultation from experts of AIIMS. After the agreement, the major health institutions of the district will remain in touch with AIIMS,” he added.

“The MoU was signed for five years and the district administration will ensure its cooperation to AIIMS, Bilaspur,” said the DC.

AIIMS Director Dr Veer Singh Negi said AIIMS would organise special health camps in Lahaul and Spiti. The integrated telemedicine platform will ensure real-time monitoring of patients by experts. They will also give their advice by viewing the online test report.

“AIIMS will also conduct research studies on diseases occurring in the high-altitude region in collaboration with the ICMR centre at Keylong,” he added.

Tribal Development Minister Ram Lal Markanda also thanked Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and Health Minister Dr Rajiv Saizal for the MoU, besides the Centre. He said it would strengthen the health services in this district.