“Digitizing healthcare
data could simplify the
system for better”
face to face
“
In a freewheeling one on one interview, Mrs Meenakshi Lekhi,
Member of Parliament talked about experiences on a pilot scale
project in her constituency besides expressing broader views on
healthcare policymaking in India
BY RAHUL KOUL
Q: Please share with us your experiences on a pilot
scale mobile healthcare van in your constituency?
What was the idea behind it?
I had taken an initiative at the localized level to provide the
healthcare through mobile vans at the doorsteps. After some
time, we noticed that while the vans were running but the
process of collecting data and its digitization hit a roadblock due
to the few issues. When I did the follow up, I saw that the
concerned officer was missing. We have taken up this issue with
the concerned authorities.
My idea to begin with, was to help in creating the data collection
avenues for the Haemophilia and Tuberculosis patients as well
as ones with set of disabilities. But the focus was also the
pregnant women who could provide great source of information
on various diseases and their spreading. While half of a time we
look for the authentic information from the street, we find there
are not enough mechanisms for that.
Q: How could have the collection of data helped in
improving healthcare scenario? What are the
challenges?
Digitizing the healthcare data could help in making the
system robust. The data compilation and its analysis could
help us to devise mechanisms for the diagnosis and treatment
at right stages.
As a sincere Member of Parliament, I wanted to carry out this
project in my constituency but unfortunately it was
20
BioVoiceNews | May 2016
Digitizing the
healthcare data
could help in making
the system robust.
The data compilation
and its analysis could
help us to devise
mechanisms for the
diagnosis and
treatment at right
stages.