By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 19: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday virtually launched the 10 Bed ICU Project in 12 district hospitals and two Tele ICU Hubs during a function held at the State Convention Centre.
The 10 Bed ICU Project is an innovative public-private partnership between Health & Family Welfare Department and 10 Bed ICU partner NGOs (eGov Foundation and Karuna Trust) led by eGov Foundation.
The 10 Bed ICU Project is being implemented in eight states, such as Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Assam, Nagaland, Sikkim and Meghalaya. Two hundred ICU units have been set up across the states. The Tele ICU hub-and-spoke model is showing promising signs of evolving into a transformative healthcare model, especially in resource-constrained and remote locations.
Speaking on the occasion, Sangma said given Meghalaya’s difficult terrain, the provision of critical care has been a major challenge, especially in rural areas, causing great difficulties for the people.
He said the 10 Bed ICU Project and Tele ICU Hubs are wonderful initiatives which will utilise cloud computing technology to connect specialists to ICU wards in the districts.
“We are creating a massive database. Artificial Intelligence (AI) being a part of that will now allow us to transform and be able to create a better preventive medication system in the coming days,” he said.
According to Sangma, technology is going to play a vital role in providing health services, especially in places which have difficult terrain and are disconnected.
He felt AI will play a very important role in the implementation of data and be able to take policy decision on how to change and improve things in the health delivery system.
The CM said this project encompasses the provision of ICU facilities in the district hospitals. He said an online telehealth platform, which connects ICU patients and their local healthcare providers with medical specialists providing real-time data, will immensely aid those on the ground to give necessary medical attention to patients.
He appreciated the eGov Foundation and Karuna Trust for the initiative and the donors for making a big difference in the lives of the people of the state.
Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said the development of technology in healthcare has been able to bring treatment closer to the people.
She said the hub-and-spoke model, discussed by every expert, lends valuable insights into how life can be saved through technological intervention.
She said the state has serious issues with cancer, kidney failure and non-communicable disease treatment and this is where technology can be utilised effectively to save life.
Lyngdoh also said that the term AI often brings fear to the minds of people.
“But today, we have seen that this technology will strengthen us as a community, especially in areas such as healthcare,” she said.
Others who spoke included Chief Secretary DP Wahlang, founder of Khosla Ventures Vinod Khosla and Infosys chairman Nandan Nilekani. Nilekani virtually participated.