Keeping in view the ongoing threat due to the raging 2nd wave of COVID-19, the Punjab Government has been providing tele-consultation OPD services of Gynaecology, General & Psychiatry to patients through eSanjeevaniOPD mobile app from 8:00 A. M. to 2:00 P. M. (Monday to Saturday).Disclosing this here today, the Health Minister Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu said that to ensure the safety of people across the State this step has been taken. He said that by utilizing virtually services of specialist doctors in real time for patients, it has proved helpful to reduce the footfall of patients at hospitals.Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu said that earlier people were faced with problems to get the benefits of eSanjeevaniOPD service due to the conditions of minimum 2 Mbps internet speed on their laptop/computer only, but now the android mobile app is also available for patients, so that there is no dependence on laptop/pc. They can avail teleconsultations using their smartphones directly. He said that the eSanjeevaniOPD mobile app can easily be downloaded from the Google Play Store.Explaining the simple registration process, the Minister said that firstly, the patient should verify his/her number on the eSanjeevaniOPD mobile app and then generate a token after registration. After that, the beneficiary should go through the login process upon getting a notification and wait for his/her turn to be attended. Then, consult the specialist doctor for getting advice for treatment and download an e-prescription duly signed by the doctor, which can be presented at Jan Aushadhi stores or any Chemist to get the prescribed medication.
Divulging further about the features of eSanjeevaniOPD, Mr. Sidhu said that telemedicine would be prove a boon for patients across the State in the future also, as many people need day to day medical advice and consultations for prevalent chronic diseases. Besides telemedicine for General Medicine, Health department has also commenced the eSanjeevani OPD for Gynaecology services to ensure the Mother and Child Health (MCH) care, as well as Psychiatry OPD due to the mental health issues being faced by individuals. He said that it can also prove helpful to avoid the rush at hospitals in the wake of COVID-19.The Health Minister further stated that pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy are at a high risk of contracting infections from the hospitals and should avoid unnecessary visits to the hospital. So, to seek antenatal care and provide Gynaecological services to pregnant women and lactating mothers, the Punjab Government has been providing eSanjeevani OPD for MCH services. The Minister also appealed to the public that it is safer to stay at home and avoid unnecessary visits to the Hospital & other crowded places & make the maximum & optimal use of eSanjeevaniOPD tele-consultation service by using the android mobile app or by visiting the website https://eSanjeevaniOPD.in.