Odisha Government Introduces Digital Platform for Priority Cancer Care
The government of Odisha has announced a significant initiative to alleviate the burden on cancer patients by implementing a digital platform for priority appointment booking at top state-run hospitals. This innovative system aims to eliminate long queues and reduce unnecessary travel and waiting times for individuals suspected of having cancer or those already undergoing treatment.
Streamlined Appointment Booking Process
Under the new system, patients will be able to book appointments at their nearest District Headquarters Hospital (DHH). Once an appointment is confirmed, they can proceed to the designated tertiary care hospital at the scheduled time slot. This approach is designed to minimize the fear of missing outpatient department (OPD) consultations, diagnoses, and treatments, as confirmed by official sources.
The National Informatics Centre (NIC), a government agency, will develop the digital platform to facilitate this process. If a doctor at any DHH identifies cancer-related symptoms in a patient, they or hospital staff will arrange a teleconsultation with an oncologist from a tertiary care facility. If necessary, the patient's appointment with the tertiary care hospital will be booked digitally for further action, according to an official from the health and family welfare department.
Enhanced Teleconsultation and Categorization
Teleconsultation services will also be available for cancer patients requiring follow-up treatment. After booking an appointment, patients will receive specific dates and times for their consultations, diagnoses, or treatments. Appointments will be categorized into three groups: emergency care, priority diagnosis, and general OPD, ensuring that urgent cases receive immediate attention.
The tertiary care hospitals involved in this initiative include SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, VIMSAR in Burla, Acharya Harihar PG Institute of Cancer (AHPGIC) in Cuttack, and AIIMS Bhubaneswar. These institutions will serve as hubs, with DHHs acting as spokes to provide comprehensive cancer care, explained Susanta Kumar Swain, additional director (non-communicable disease) of the health and family welfare department.
Reducing Uncertainty and Improving Patient Experience
Swain emphasized that patients will no longer need to travel to top hospitals without certainty of securing a doctor's appointment or receiving a token for diagnosis. "After implementation of the digital solution, everything will be booked beforehand for a smooth and easy experience at the hospitals for cancer patients," he added.
The digital platform will also display real-time information on hospital bed vacancies, doctors on duty, and the status of diagnostic facilities, providing transparency and efficiency in healthcare delivery.
Focus on Early Diagnosis and Awareness
Recently, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling highlighted the government's focus on early diagnosis of cancer patients. "Awareness should be created among people about the early signs or symptoms of cancer. So that they can visit nearby hospitals or oncologists and go for further diagnosis and treatment," the minister stated in a recent meeting.
This digital initiative represents a major step forward in improving cancer care accessibility and efficiency in Odisha, leveraging technology to enhance patient outcomes and reduce healthcare disparities.
