With the help of Information Technology and Artificial intelligence, Meghalaya Government has started mapping every patient in the State.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said this has started as a pilot project in Ri Bhoi District, where the Health Department has started maintaining the records of every patients so that the Doctors have accessibility to it with a click of a button.
“In in today’s world it’s technology and the Information Technology and Artificial intelligence which is going to be one of the biggest game changer when it comes to the health care sector and many other sectors. We have started a program in Meghalaya where we have taken up Ri Bhoi district where our representatives have gone and visited. We have started mapping every patient and we have started maintaining the records of every patient, so that the Doctors have accessibility to it with a click of a button,” Sangma said.
“ No matter which hospital you go to the centralize Information will allow the health official to get the medical history of the patient immediately. So that’s one part of the entire program, what’s more important is this data that we collect is going to allow us to predict things in a much more scientific way, which then allow us to realise what could be coming in the Manu months and years ahead,” he added.
Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, was addressing the gathering after the inauguration of the North East TB Free Summit at Courtyard Marriot in the presence of Minister, Health, Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh and Dr Roderico H Ofrin, WR, WHO India.
The Chief Minister also said that the state shares the national goals and aspirations and Meghalaya’s challenging terrain and dispersed population have made it necessary to establish TB diagnostic and treatment facilities in remote areas.
“The fight against Tb is far from over but with unwavering dedication and collaboration we can make great strides in reducing its impact,” he said.
The Chief Minister also informed that there is a significant delay in the diagnosis of tuberculosis, especially among poorer people who do not visit a doctor until the symptoms have become severe.
Community participation, enhancing nutrition, treatment innovation, tech integration, wellness and prevention interventions such as awareness about the disease, early screening and maintaining hygiene are some measures that can accelerate the goal to make India TB Free by 2025, he added.
Dr Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister, Health, in her address said that a robust preventive procedure and concerted effort and continued focus with the participation of the community is needed to eradicate TB. “We need to spread and intensify our presence as far as tuberculosis is concerned,” she told the gathering.
Dr Roderico H Ofrin said that the summit is not only to celebrate the efforts of the North east in TB eradication programs but also to spread word to other parts of the country about the good practices and learn from each other.
The Chief Minister also launched the Meghalaya Mobile Portable AI based X-Ray diagnostic facility during the event.
Also present were Dr Rajendra P Joshi, DGB (TB) Government of India, Director, NEIGHRIMS, Dr Nalin Mehta, Secretaries of Health from Nagaland and Manipur, representatives from other North eastern states and senior officers from Health, Government of Meghalaya.