Srinagar, Oct 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the role of telemedicine in bringing specialist healthcare to remote regions, citing the case of a pregnant woman in Ladakh’s Zanskar who received medical assistance through the government’s e-Sanjeevani platform.
Addressing the 139th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Modi said technology was helping bridge geographical barriers that had long made access to doctors and specialised medical services difficult for people living in remote areas.
Referring to the experience of Kunjang Dolma from Zanskar, the Prime Minister said she developed complications during pregnancy but was able to receive immediate assistance from a specialist doctor through e-Sanjeevani.
“In Zanskar, Ladakh, Kunjang Dolma experienced some complications during her pregnancy; during that situation, e-Sanjeevani worked for her, allowing a specialist doctor to provide immediate assistance,” Modi said.
The reference assumes significance for mountainous regions such as Ladakh and parts of Jammu and Kashmir, where difficult terrain, harsh winters and long distances from major hospitals can complicate access to specialised healthcare, particularly during medical emergencies.
Modi said the telemedicine platform had facilitated approximately 50 crore consultations across the country, reflecting the growing use of digital technology in healthcare delivery.
He also cited instances from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Nagaland where patients received medical assistance through remote consultations.
The Prime Minister said the expanding network of e-Sanjeevani was helping people in geographically isolated areas connect with experienced doctors without undertaking difficult journeys.
He noted that nearly 1.90 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs had been established across the country, providing healthcare services and supporting preventive health check-ups in rural communities.
Modi said the increasing use of digital consultations demonstrated how technology could make healthcare more accessible while reducing the difficulties faced by people living far from major medical institutions.
The Prime Minister’s reference to Zanskar also brings attention to the importance of timely specialist consultation in remote Himalayan regions, where healthcare access remains closely linked to transport connectivity, weather conditions and the availability of medical personnel.
While telemedicine can facilitate medical advice and early assessment, patients requiring emergency surgery, blood transfusions or other hospital-based interventions still depend on the availability of physical healthcare infrastructure and timely referral arrangements.
The Prime Minister said technology-driven healthcare initiatives were helping improve access to medical services in remote communities and demonstrating the potential of digital platforms to address longstanding geographical challenges. (KNS)
