Telecom Lead Asia: Cisco has launched its Cisco
healthcare solution pilot program to enable remote healthcare for one primary
healthcare center and one community healthcare center from the district hospital
in Chitradurga District of Karnataka.
Cisco introduced its healthcare solution in its corporate
social responsibility project — Samudaya — to enable access to remote
healthcare to flood-affected people of Raichur on a proof-of-concept basis.
In the Chitradurga pilot, the healthcare solution will
link Chitradurga District Hospital to one community healthcare centre at
Bharamasagara in Chitradurga Taluk and one primary healthcare centre (PHC) at
Mathode in Hosadurga Taluk.
Using Cisco technology and medical services provided by
RxDx’s multi-specialty hospital in Bangalore, remote consultation for over 1700
patients has been rendered.
“Healthcare in India is a major concern for those
who cannot afford or access it. While this amenity is available easily to urban
population at very affordable rates, it is not ubiquitous in rural areas.
Governments across all states of India recognize this gap,” said Aravind
Sitaraman, president, Inclusive Growth, Cisco.
Last year, Cisco launched the initiative so that rural communities
can get access to essential urban services like healthcare, education, a
marketplace and access to public services through technology and bring them
into the mainstream economy.
Using the network as a platform, these services can bring
about transformational change and greatly reduce the urban-rural divide.
Cisco’s healthcare solution creates an environment where
patients and doctors can meet each other virtually through video without having
to commute long distances.
Recently, Cisco
announced an investment in Aavishkaar, a venture fund founded to promote
development in rural and semi-urban India.
Cisco will invest in Aavishkaar India II and will
collaborate with other investors to drive sustainable business models with
social impact that utilize the power of the network.
