In an era where technology is transforming healthcare delivery, Chandigarh Administration stands at the forefront with innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing health services. Shri Ajay Chagti, IAS, Secretary (Medical Education & Research and Health), Chandigarh Administration, in an exclusive interview with Priya Yadav, Associate Editor of Elets News Network (ENN), shares insights into how Chandigarh is leveraging digital solutions, from telemedicine to the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), to improve patient care and streamline processes. 

Edited By: Dr. Asawari Savant | Senior Sub Editor | ENN 

How is technology being leveraged to improve health services by the Chandigarh Administration? Please share a few initiatives.

E-initiatives such as the online delivery of services, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) with online access to reports and health records, telemedicine, Drugs and Vaccine Distribution Management System (DVDMS) software, online training for health professionals, the use of electronic journals, and media display screens at health centers are some of the initiatives taken by UT Chandigarh. To manage patient records digitally and improve service delivery efficiency, Chandigarh hospitals and polyclinics have implemented a Hospital Management Information System (HMIS).

Chandigarh is praised for its advanced healthcare infrastructure and high standards of service. What key factors do you believe have contributed to maintaining such clean, efficient, and high-quality healthcare delivery in the Union Territory?

Chandigarh, being the hub of the Northern Zone, benefits from planned infrastructure, high literacy rates, and two tertiary care institutions, in addition to a district hospital and various health centers. Patients receive affordable care from qualified professionals, with a focus on maintaining standards. Essential drugs are available at all Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) according to the prescribed list. The Union Territory receives adequate financial support through the budget and the National Health Mission (NHM).

In recent years, there has been a significant focus on using advanced technologies in healthcare. Could you elaborate on the digital services and technologies being implemented in Chandigarh’s health centers and polyclinics to revamp patient care?

Various services are delivered through online systems. Portals for about 20 national health programs are utilized to upload data and monitor progress. Ninety-five percent of eligible families have at least one member with an Ayushman Card. Under ABDM, 1.2 million electronic health records have been uploaded. The scan-and-share facility using the ABDM ecosystem is operational in the Government Medical College & Hospital, the District Hospital, sub-district hospitals, and the two civil hospitals.

The Drugs and Vaccine Distribution Management System (DVDMS) software was launched on April 1, 2024, and the DVDMS portal is functional at all health facilities. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been selectively introduced. An AI-powered cough-sound-based screening tool for pulmonary tuberculosis has been initiated to enable early detection and treatment of TB in community settings. This mobile-based solution is a low-cost, non-invasive, point-of-care rapid screening tool that frontline workers across various healthcare facilities can use. The AI model driving this screening tool utilizes cough sound data, along with patient-reported symptoms and comorbidities (such as a history of diabetes, COVID-19, tobacco, and alcohol consumption) to assess the likelihood of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Reducing patient waiting times is a common challenge across many healthcare systems. How is Chandigarh’s healthcare service leveraging technology to streamline processes and ensure timely care for patients?

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) aims to develop the necessary infrastructure to support an integrated digital health ecosystem in the country. It will bridge the existing gaps among different stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem through digital highways. Chandigarh is actively implementing it. The scan-and-share facility, which is a QR-Code-based solution in ABDM-empanelled facilities, has enabled patients to share their demographic details and avoid long queues for registration.

Teleconsultations have saved travel time and reduced patient waiting time. Some healthcare facilities have implemented digital triage systems that prioritize patient care based on the severity of their conditions.

How can we integrate patient feedback and public opinion into the design and implementation of healthcare services? How will this improve patient experience or outcomes?

Health Melas are organized in all Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) as per Government of India guidelines, where screenings for non-communicable diseases, general OPD, ABHA ID creation, PMJAY Card creation, and wellness activities are conducted. Chandigarh has constituted Jan Arogya Samitis (JAS) at all HWCs, which address public opinion and feedback. In the last financial year, approximately 338 JAS committee meetings were held at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, with about 1.49 meetings held at Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (UAAMs). Data analytics can be used to analyze structured and unstructured data, especially from social media platforms.

Regarding food safety, Chandigarh is the top-performing Union Territory in the country. The Department has been certified as an FSSAI-empanelled training partner for the FoSTaC program of FSSAI.

Looking ahead, what are Chandigarh’s plans for further enhancing healthcare infrastructure and services over the next few years? Are there any upcoming projects or policies aimed at improving access, affordability, or quality of healthcare in the region?

As for infrastructure, a 2,000-bed hospital, along with an academic block for postgraduate DNB students, is planned to be set up in Sarangpur in a phased manner. This facility will also include a Regional Spinal Centre, Drug De-addiction Centre, Cath lab, etc. With smart hospital management (AI/IoT, etc.), operational parameters (like bed occupancy, device usage, equipment status, inventory status, and energy management) will be managed in an automated manner, allowing hospital staff to focus on patient care instead of routine tasks.

Chandigarh is gradually experimenting with AI tools in imaging and diagnostics, particularly in radiology and pathology, to speed up and improve diagnostic accuracy. The potential of smart wearable devices is immense; for example, heart signals collected from wearable devices, with the consent of the individuals involved, can be used to detect abnormal heart rhythms. The devices can send data to cloud-based servers, where AI algorithms could generate alerts through a shared platform. Furthermore, with 5G technology, it would be possible to exchange information in real-time between ambulances, medical officers, first responders, and emergency wings, which would save time and facilitate improved decision-making.

In terms of affordable medicines, the PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana aims to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses, offering generic drugs that are available at lower prices but are equivalent in quality and efficacy to more expensive branded drugs.

Can you share some successes or challenges you’ve faced while trying to integrate advanced technologies, such as telemedicine or AI, into public healthcare delivery in Chandigarh?

We have been implementing various NHM programs with technology interventions as envisaged. As for telemedicine, it has been implemented using a hub-and-spoke model, with currently four hubs and 56 spokes. More than 77,000 teleconsultations with specialist doctors and medical officers have taken place in the last three years. Initially, bandwidth and network issues were challenges, but those aspects have since been addressed. AI-based technologies are still at the pilot stage, and any scaling-up challenges will be addressed as we move forward.

Also Read: Healthcare Innovations for India’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cities Integrating HMIS with AI and ML

Public health awareness and preventive care are crucial components of a successful healthcare system. How is Chandigarh promoting preventive healthcare and ensuring that citizens are well-informed about the importance of early detection and wellness initiatives?

Preventive care involves patients, providers, payers, and public health authorities. Non-communicable disease (NCD)-related health camps are held in all health facilities every Monday and Thursday in campaign mode to increase screening and reach saturation levels. Twelve expanded range services are being delivered at all AAMs, including screenings for hypertension, diabetes, and three common cancers (oral, breast, and cervical cancers) based on Risk Assessment through the Community-Based Assessment Checklist (CBAC). NSS volunteers are enrolled for patient guidance.

In the future, preventive measures could include regular monitoring of patients’ conditions through wearable devices (subject to privacy considerations) and making informed decisions based on data trends and predictions.

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