Chennai: The Greater Chennai Corporation is set to make its urban primary health centres smart with full-fledged digitisation of medical records, and to introduce data-monitoring and analysis for proactive solutions for health issues. As a pilot measure, the smart UPHCs scheme will be implemented first in all the UPHCs and urban health and wellness centres (UHWCs) in one GCC zone, and will be eventually scaled up.
“Digitization will introduce e-prescriptions, monitoring of physical and biological data, audits of diagnosis and issues, and understanding morbidity issues in specific area and prevalence of the diseases.The data will be stored in cloud-based servers, in compliance with data privacy norms, so that they don’t get damaged in floods or calamities,” said GCC commissioner Dr J Radhakrishnan.
The corporation will tie up with LEHS-WISH Foundation, an NGO working on improving primary healthcare, which will provide technical expertise to upgrade the centres. Radhakrishnan said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) would be signed with them by next week.
The NGO, Lords Educational Health Society (LEHS) – Wadhwani Initiative for Sustainable Healthcare (WISH), will have a team of experts working with GCC doctors to improve accuracy of diagnosis through data analytics.
Dr Rakesh Kumar, CEO of WISH, said nurses would register patients digitally and doctors will record diagnosis online. “Our software will analyse the patient data to create real-time dash boards and vulnerability mapping. It will help us understand why some areas are reporting a rise in certain number of cases and narrow down on addressing the root cause. It will help in improving immunisation coverage,” he said.
Kumar, who was a joint secretary with union health ministry, said smart UPHCs would be rolled out in the next six months.
Chandrakanth Laharia, a public health expert who worked with the World Health Organization, said patients need not carry files if records are digitised. “Availability of records in-hand helps in faster diagnosis, saving time. Further, with data, can keep track of seasonal trends of health issues, compare them with other neighbourhoods or previous years, to get a perspective and bring solutions,” he added.
We also published the following articles recently
“Digitization will introduce e-prescriptions, monitoring of physical and biological data, audits of diagnosis and issues, and understanding morbidity issues in specific area and prevalence of the diseases.The data will be stored in cloud-based servers, in compliance with data privacy norms, so that they don’t get damaged in floods or calamities,” said GCC commissioner Dr J Radhakrishnan.
The corporation will tie up with LEHS-WISH Foundation, an NGO working on improving primary healthcare, which will provide technical expertise to upgrade the centres. Radhakrishnan said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) would be signed with them by next week.
The NGO, Lords Educational Health Society (LEHS) – Wadhwani Initiative for Sustainable Healthcare (WISH), will have a team of experts working with GCC doctors to improve accuracy of diagnosis through data analytics.
Dr Rakesh Kumar, CEO of WISH, said nurses would register patients digitally and doctors will record diagnosis online. “Our software will analyse the patient data to create real-time dash boards and vulnerability mapping. It will help us understand why some areas are reporting a rise in certain number of cases and narrow down on addressing the root cause. It will help in improving immunisation coverage,” he said.
Kumar, who was a joint secretary with union health ministry, said smart UPHCs would be rolled out in the next six months.
Chandrakanth Laharia, a public health expert who worked with the World Health Organization, said patients need not carry files if records are digitised. “Availability of records in-hand helps in faster diagnosis, saving time. Further, with data, can keep track of seasonal trends of health issues, compare them with other neighbourhoods or previous years, to get a perspective and bring solutions,” he added.
We also published the following articles recently
GCC health centre docs write prescriptions on bits of papers
The Greater Chennai Corporations 288 health centres serve more than one lakh patients a day, yet they do not issue proper prescription slips. Doctors use scraps of paper torn from calendars or notebooks, omitting crucial details such as medical history, vitals, and diagnosis. This article discusses the guidelines from the Union health ministry and Tamil Nadu State Medical Council, recommending training programmes for doctors and periodic prescription audits. It also highlights the need for standardized prescriptions by the civic body, including official seals with medical registration numbers and contact details. The GCC commissioner has announced plans to print prescription slips with the GCC logo, formalizing the process with names of doctors, signs, and seals with diagnosis.
The Greater Chennai Corporations 288 health centres serve more than one lakh patients a day, yet they do not issue proper prescription slips. Doctors use scraps of paper torn from calendars or notebooks, omitting crucial details such as medical history, vitals, and diagnosis. This article discusses the guidelines from the Union health ministry and Tamil Nadu State Medical Council, recommending training programmes for doctors and periodic prescription audits. It also highlights the need for standardized prescriptions by the civic body, including official seals with medical registration numbers and contact details. The GCC commissioner has announced plans to print prescription slips with the GCC logo, formalizing the process with names of doctors, signs, and seals with diagnosis.
Vitamin B12 Supplements That Helps In Health Improvement
Vitamin B12 supplements are valuable for maintaining optimal health, especially for those with dietary restrictions or nutrient absorption difficulties. They are crucial for individuals following vegetarian or vegan diets, as B12 is primarily found in animal-based products. Older adults and those with specific medical conditions that affect nutrient absorption may also benefit from B12 supplementation. Insufficient levels of B12 can lead to fatigue, weakness, anaemia, and neurological problems. It is important to consult with a doctor before taking these supplements.
Vitamin B12 supplements are valuable for maintaining optimal health, especially for those with dietary restrictions or nutrient absorption difficulties. They are crucial for individuals following vegetarian or vegan diets, as B12 is primarily found in animal-based products. Older adults and those with specific medical conditions that affect nutrient absorption may also benefit from B12 supplementation. Insufficient levels of B12 can lead to fatigue, weakness, anaemia, and neurological problems. It is important to consult with a doctor before taking these supplements.
Health dept told to check Covid centres’ preparedness
Thane municipal commissioner Abhijit Bangar has urged the health department and administration to ensure all previously established Covid management infrastructure in the city, including staff, is kept on alert mode. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has instructed state agencies and civic bodies to stay alert due to rising cases of the JN1 Variant of Covid. The city has seven active Covid cases, with one admitted at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj hospital (CSMH) Kalwa and the others in home isolation. Bangar has directed the activation of isolation facilities, beds at CSMH, and other necessary resources to tackle any sudden rise in cases.
Thane municipal commissioner Abhijit Bangar has urged the health department and administration to ensure all previously established Covid management infrastructure in the city, including staff, is kept on alert mode. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has instructed state agencies and civic bodies to stay alert due to rising cases of the JN1 Variant of Covid. The city has seven active Covid cases, with one admitted at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj hospital (CSMH) Kalwa and the others in home isolation. Bangar has directed the activation of isolation facilities, beds at CSMH, and other necessary resources to tackle any sudden rise in cases.