Digital Health

India, with its vast geography and a population exceeding 1.4 billion, faces significant challenges in providing equitable healthcare access. Rural and remote areas, which house nearly 65 percent of the population, often lack adequate healthcare infrastructure and personnel. The emergence of health kiosk systems offers a transformative solution to bridge this gap and ensure timely medical services across the nation. India is entering a new era defined by tele-health, by pushing beyond the old concept of in-person consultations to reinvent patient’s primary healthcare experience.

Health kiosk is a more beneficial technology that can expand access to preventive treatment and may lead to long-term health. Pandemic was a turning point that re-emphasized the need for digital technologies to deliver seamless patient care. As a result, doctors, patients, and other stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem have adopted an incredible increase in digital practices.

A health kiosk is a self-service device that provides access to health services and health information:

Health screenings. Provide indicators on general health status, detect changes, and alert patients of health needs that require further attention.

Diagnostic services. Health kiosks can provide instant tests and diagnostic results.

Health information. Can provide access to health information and insights into overall wellbeing.

Patient self-check-in. Health kiosks can be used by hospitals and doctors as check-in systems.

Tele-monitoring and tele-consultation. Can provide live and offline doctor consultation.

Government initiatives
The Department of Health and Family Welfare’s FY 2024-25 budget was ₹87,656.90 crore (USD 10.73 billion), reflecting a 12.93-percent rise from the revised allocation for the previous year. To improve efficiency in healthcare delivery, extend health care to rural areas and provide better quality at low cost certain eHealth initiatives using ICT (information and communication technology) were undertaken by MOHFW across the country. Given the integral role of technology in healthcare delivery, National Health Policy 2017 envisaged extensive deployment of digital tools for improving the efficiency and outcome of the healthcare system. In addition, the policy intends to strengthen the health surveillance system and to establish country-wide health information exchange network by 2025.

Government schemes and initiatives related to eHealth and tele-health projects in India are – National Telemedicine Network (NTN), eSanjeevani, National Digital Health Blueprint (NDHB), tele-radiology (CORS), SATCOM telemedicine nodes, online registration system (ORS), and vaccine adverse event information management system (VAEIMS). Government is working on overall development of eHealth ecosystem to support growth and adoption in the country by promoting Metadata & data standards, electronic health record standards, inter-perability and data exchange platform, application certification programs, regulation of data security/privacy/confidentiality, etc.

RMS and health kiosk
We at RMS are strengthening health kiosk diagnostics, which will help medical professionals and remote populations. Through the installation of advanced health kiosks at various locations, we are bringing essential diagnostic and healthcare services closer to communities that need those most. These kiosks are equipped to provide vital health checks (height, weight, BMI, blood glucose, hemoglobin, SpO2, blood pressure, spirometry, blood and urine tests, tele-consultations), and real-time diagnostic report, bridging the gap between patients and healthcare providers. Health kiosks are also known as medical kiosks or health ATMs, and can be found in places like hospitals, pharmacies, corporate offices, supermarkets and educational institutions and are expected to evolve as a cornerstone of the healthcare ecosystem.

Upgradation and AI integration
We upgrade the kiosk with new diagnostic tools and interfaces, AI-driven analytics for predictive healthcare insights, and focus on deploying accessible, technology-driven healthcare solutions to underserved populations. Collaboration is done with government healthcare programs, non-governmental organizations, and local authorities to secure support and to ensure adaptability, scalability, and seamless integration with healthcare systems.

Integrated with tele-consultation capabilities, the kiosks will enable remote interactions with healthcare professionals, ensuring timely advice and treatment. Additionally, health kiosks provide digital health records, secure data storage, and seamless integration with national healthcare systems, enhancing accessibility, efficiency, and convenience for users.

Outlook
Health kiosks still play a vital role in the healthcare system, including collecting clinical measurements and providing access to web-based health services and information to those with little or no digital literacy skills and others without personal internet access. Digital health kiosk system can revolutionize the way healthcare is delivered, making it more inclusive, efficient, and cost-effective. Government of India has been increasingly focusing on eHealth/digital health to bring about improvements in Indian public healthcare delivery. Health kiosks can help make healthcare more accessible and affordable, especially in underserved or remote areas.