"Over 47 crore teleconsultations done via e-Sanjeevani": Rajnath Singh hails tech push in healthcare
New Delhi, July 18
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday highlighted the transformative impact of technology on India's healthcare system, stating that the e-Sanjeevani platform has revolutionised telemedicine by recording over 47 crore teleconsultations since 2019.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the Indian Medical Association's (IMA) award ceremony in the national capital, where he presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to five distinguished doctors for their exemplary contributions to the field of medicine.
The prestigious honours were conferred upon Dr Bharat Agarwal, Dr AK Patel, Dr Navin Dang, Dr (Prof) S Rajasekaran, and Dr CP Thakur.
Addressing an event in the national capital, the Defence Minister emphasised that the government views expenditure on health as a long-term investment rather than mere welfare spending. He noted that the country's health budget has witnessed a massive cumulative growth of 194 per cent over the past 12 years.
"You are all well aware of the changes taking place in the healthcare system--initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and Ayushman Arogya Mandir. However, I must emphasise that technology has made medical treatment more accessible and empowered it," Singh said.
Highlighting the success of the digital health push, the Minister pointed out the crucial role played by the government's telemedicine portal.
"e-Sanjeevani has boosted telemedicine, bringing the greatest benefits to people living in remote areas. You might be surprised to learn that since 2019, over 47 crore teleconsultations have taken place via this platform," he added.
Singh further reiterated the government's commitment to robust healthcare infrastructure, adding, "This is just one of many initiatives undertaken by the government; the list is extensive. Over the past 12 years, the health budget has seen a cumulative growth of 194 per cent, because our government views health expenditure not merely as welfare spending but as an investment in wealth."
— ANI
Reader Comments
The 194% budget increase is great on paper, but ground reality in rural PHCs still needs improvement. e-Sanjeevani is a good start, but what about internet connectivity in remote areas? Many still struggle with basic infrastructure.
Humble brag but my cousin in a small town in UP got a second opinion via e-Sanjeevani for a skin condition, and the specialist from AIIMS helped avoid unnecessary surgery. Digital health is a game changer if implemented properly. 👍
As someone working in a US hospital, I'm genuinely impressed by India's scale. 47 crore is massive even by global standards. But doctors tell me the consultation quality varies wildly—sometimes it's just a 2-minute chat. Need better protocols.
Good to see IMA honouring real heroes—those five doctors sound like they've done decades of service. But let's not ignore the fact that many private hospitals still charge exorbitant fees even after Ayushman Bharat. Hope the push continues! 🙏
I work in a diagnostic centre in Bangalore—e-Sanjeevani has definitely reduced walk-in pressure for minor issues. But the real test will be during monsoon floods or disasters when connectivity breaks. Need offline-capable solutions too.
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