Telehealth For Kashmir

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Getting medicines or seeing a doctor in Kashmir can be really tough, especially in winter. Snow can block the roads, and for elderly people or families without younger members around, even a short trip to a hospital or pharmacy becomes a big challenge.

This is where telemedicine is making a difference. Instead of traveling long distances, people can now talk to doctors through phone or video calls. One big service doing this is E‐Sanjeevani, a national telemedicine platform. In Jammu and Kashmir, it has already helped more than 9.5 lakh people get medical advice without leaving their towns or villages.

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Telemedicine isn't new here. The Sher‐i‐Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences in Srinagar has run a telemedicine centre since 2003, connecting local doctors with specialists in big hospitals across India. This makes it easier for patients to get expert care without long journeys.

Now, the government is expanding this further, funding 80 new telemedicine units across the region so more people can get medical guidance from home.

This can be life-changing for families in remote areas. They can talk to a doctor online, get a diagnosis, and even receive prescriptions digitally. This saves them long, difficult trips in harsh weather and cuts down extra costs for travel or staying in the city.

At the same time, Jan Aushadhi Kendras, government-run stores selling affordable medicines, make it easier for people to actually get their prescriptions. There are over 324 stores across J&K, including in remote areas, so families don't have to go far to buy quality medicines.

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