Telemedicine saving lives in villages where hospitals are out of reach

In Uttarakhand's Himalayan region, where healthcare is scarce, the Tiya Foundation, founded by Atonu Das, is revolutionizing rural healthcare through a telemedicine program that brings medical expertise to villagers.

"In rural areas, health facilities are the worst, so we're trying to improve it," says Atonu Das, chairman of Tiya Foundation. His words underscore the dire situation in Uttarakhand's remote villages, where reaching the nearest hospital can be difficult.

According to the Uttarakhand Rural Health Report (2021-22) from the Government of India, the state has a critical shortage of medical professionals. Out of 208 required specialist positions, only 36 are filled. There are 544 nursing staff vacancies out of 895 required positions. Infrastructure is also a significant challenge, with 30% of sub-centres lacking electricity and over half of the Primary Health Centers (PHCs) lacking all-weather roads.

The Tiya Foundation's telemedicine initiative shines. Launched in November 2023, it covers six clusters and 15+ villages. With 600+ villagers registered and 475+ medical consultations, the impact is felt.

The impact of Tiya Foundation's work is illustrated by Pankaj Singh's story. He's a 23-year-old resident of Chaurson Village facing mental health challenges. Since starting treatment in November 2023, he has seen a remarkable recovery.

Pankaj said,

"Before 2020, I was a waiter at a local hotel. Then everything changed. My mind stopped working, I couldn't eat, and my hands and legs were always shaking. I couldn't go anywhere or do anything. Even hotel customers were scared because I was always screaming. But in 2023, Tiya Foundation came to our village."

He said,

"I started video calls with doctors, they gave me two medicines. Now, I'm much better. They send my medicine by parcel through the village every time. If I need medicine, I inform them 4 days before and they send it. They always call to check on my health. I've recovered remarkably since my treatment started in November 2023."

Pankaj's story demonstrates the impact of the telemedicine in the life of those who can't get specialist doctors in their villages. Another beneficiary is Rohit, a 14-year-old boy from Chaurson village. His mother, Deepa Devi, recounts,

"earlier, Rohit would have 12 seizures a month, sometimes 2-3 times a day. But now, after taking the medicine prescribed by telemedicine doctors, it doesn't happen at all. We've gotten so much relief."

The foundation's approach includes telemedicine consultations, health camps, medicine distribution, and awareness programs. They have conducted 13 such events in the villages they serve.

Dr. Sayeeda Asiya Khatoon, General Physician associate with Tiya Foundations initiative, said, “Initially, Pankaj had poor coordination, was physically weak, and couldn’t understand anything. With rehabilitation, including physiotherapy, his condition improved. Videos show his progress. Medication, counselling, and teamwork contributed to his recovery.”

Dr. Asiya said, "Call us anytime if patients need immediate attention," highlighting the doctors' commitment to the staff.

The foundation's work extends beyond medical care. They've created WhatsApp groups for each village to share health awareness messages, creating a continuous channel for education.

Tiya Foundation aims to ensure villagers access basic healthcare within 2 kilometres, in contrast to the current situation where many walk for hours. The initiative focuses on preventive care to reduce chronic diseases and improve health outcomes.

The impact of this work is significant. In areas where pregnant women face miscarriages due to long-distance travel over poor roads, and where night-time emergencies can be life-threatening due to the inability to reach hospitals, Tiya Foundation's telemedicine service is saving lives.

Another villager, Rajni Devi, expressed her gratitude,

"It's not just about the medicine. The doctors talk to us, and explain things. We feel cared for. It's a big change for our village."

This work faces challenges due to the lack of infrastructure, especially reliable internet connectivity, hindering telemedicine consultations. The team relies on mobile data connections and schedules consultations during stable network connectivity.

Dr. Nabanita Barman, a gynaecologist with Tiya Foundation's telemedicine initiative, said

“Understanding patient issues via video calls can be challenging, especially in rural areas where people might not be comfortable sharing online, but we work hard to ensure patients can communicate their needs. Telemedicine provides crucial support and treatment for those in remote areas who can’t easily access healthcare. Although it’s not a complete replacement for in-person examinations, it effectively addresses many minor issues”.

"For serious problems, proper examinations and in-person consultations are essential. Setting local goals and communicating in the local language is important to understand and connect with patients. Telemedicine is crucial in remote areas, offering substantial help where traditional healthcare is hard to reach, even if it can't replace face-to-face visits," Dr. Nabanita said.

Atonu Das and his team are discussing with village heads in Maigari and Pethi to set up telemedicine services. The foundation is hiring more local girls to manage the work in additional clusters, providing healthcare and employment opportunities in remote areas.

For remote Himalayan villagers, Tiya Foundation's work is transforming lives, one consultation at a time. Atonu Das says, "These stories keep this initiative going." For Uttarakhand villagers, each day brings hope, better health, and a brighter future."

Watch Our Video Report on Uttrakhand's Health Infrastructure