Gujarat’s commitment to robust public health governance takes a significant stride forward today with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Health Review Center in Gandhinagar.
Set to be formally opened by Health Minister Rushikesh Patel on June 5th, this pioneering facility is designed to centralise and comprehensively monitor all health services and facilities extended to the state’s citizens under a unified umbrella. This strategic integration is poised to usher in an era of more responsive, efficient, and equitable healthcare delivery, ensuring that health programmes and services reach every beneficiary, especially those in remote or underserved districts.
The newly established Health Review Center will serve as a pivotal hub for integrating and overseeing health programmes and services previously managed by disparate branches of the Health Department. Its core function involves systematic follow-up and rigorous review mechanisms to ensure that set health goals are met and that no citizen is deprived of essential services. This centralised digital approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also significantly contributes to a more sustainable healthcare ecosystem by optimising resource allocation and reducing the administrative footprint often associated with fragmented systems. The integration of the 104 health helpline within this center further democratises access, allowing citizens to obtain information, advice, and consultations from their homes.
A cornerstone of the Health Review Center’s efficacy lies in its advanced technological framework. It features an integrated dashboard drawing data from all health programmes and schemes, enabling real-time monitoring and analysis from a single location. For critical health initiatives, an advanced audio-visual system has been established to facilitate seamless communication and consultation with high-ranking officials and experts at the state level. This includes a robust digital data system for beneficiaries and a dashboard arrangement for instantaneous insights. Such digital-first strategies reduce the need for physical travel for meetings and data collection, indirectly contributing to a lower carbon footprint and promoting eco-friendly governance practices.
The center’s capabilities extend significantly into crisis management. In adverse and emergency situations, such as natural calamities or epidemics, the Health Review Center will act as a vital nerve centre. Through integrated audio-visual consultations with state-level officials and experts, it will effectively disseminate policy decisions and implementation strategies to all districts, ensuring prompt and coordinated responses. This proactive approach to public health emergencies is crucial for safeguarding lives and maintaining societal resilience.
The Health Review Center is equipped with cutting-edge facilities, including an advanced audio-visual conference room with arrangements for 12 terminals, and a dedicated meeting room for video conferencing. Its robust call centre, manned by 100 trained call-takers, offers consultation, advice, and guidance on various health services based on prescribed questionnaires. A dedicated CAD (Computer-Aided Dispatch) call center application, designed and implemented by EMRI GHS, will manage and securely store call information, ensuring systematic recording, evidence, training, and quality control. Furthermore, features like two-way communication video conferencing with district and health officials, real-time dashboard monitoring, and a digital click-to-call system for instant contact with health department personnel underscore its comprehensive design. These features enhance accountability and responsiveness, crucial for building equitable services.
The center’s reach spans a wide array of critical health services. In maternal health, it will monitor pregnant women with high-risk conditions like sickle cell anemia, heart or kidney issues, low weight, and low haemoglobin levels. Child health, universal vaccination programmes for children and mothers, and the management of high-risk TB patients are also under its purview. The center will also provide feedback on patients undergoing treatment under the PMJAY-Maa Scheme, address queries from sickle cell anemia patients, monitor children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) under the School Health Program, and oversee National Vector-Borne Disease Control Program initiatives. Through the 104 Health Helpline (non-emergency), it will provide general health information, advice on various ailments, and manage service complaints, ensuring inclusive access for all citizens.
The establishment of the Health Review Center signifies a transformative step in Gujarat’s public health architecture. By integrating services, leveraging digital technologies for monitoring, and offering direct citizen consultation, it promises to enhance the effectiveness of health programmes, ensure that beneficiaries in remote areas receive critical services, and provide real-time data for more informed policy decisions. This comprehensive strategy is vital for nurturing a healthy populace, a foundational element for fostering sustainable and gender-neutral cities where well-being is a universal right.
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