“What is special about the Apollo Telehealth Center is the fact that patients who reside in the remote areas don’t need to travel long distances to the capital to meet with specialists. Instead, we provide them the service of consulting with the doctors and specialists over video conferencing. They don’t have to spend too much time or money on travelling or the consultation itself since they can avail services here at reasonable prices.” Says Shisha Shadap, Staff Nurse-Apollo Telehealth Center, Tyrsad
The presence of these well-equipped clinics has sparked a newfound sense of aspiration, filling villagers’ hearts with hope for a healthier future. The effective treatment they receive at these facilities instills trust, ensuring that villagers return time and again to seek the care they deserve. Moreover, the accessibility and affordability of these services have lifted a significant financial burden off their shoulders, sparing them the arduous journeys to distant healthcare facilities. The testimonials of gratitude from these rural communities highlight the profound impact that Apollo Telehealth Center and SVM have had on their lives.
“Now, We Don’t Have to Worry”
A resident of a remote village in West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, shares her heartfelt experience with the Apollo Telehealth Center: “Before the clinic opened, we had to travel quite a distance to seek medical care. It was not only expensive but also time-consuming. Apollo’s clinic in our village has been a blessing. The doctors are highly skilled, and we can get the necessary medicines at affordable prices. Now, we don’t have to worry about travelling very far for healthcare.”
“I have been suffering from diabetes for the past three years. The treatment I have been getting till date was not effective and I felt the right diagnosis was not done and medicines were not giving me relief. However, when I came for a check up here at the Apollo Telehealth Center. I got my medicine here after consultations with the doctors over the video call. They prescribed medicine only after completely understanding my problem.”, said a resident of Tyrsad, a village in the East Khasi Hills.
Apollo’s History: A Commitment to Healthcare Accessibility
The roots of Apollo Hospitals’ commitment to healthcare accessibility can be traced back to its very inception in 1983 under the visionary leadership of Dr. Prathap C. Reddy. Driven by a noble vision of providing “Healthcare for All,” Apollo began its remarkable journey by establishing the world’s first V-SAT-enabled telehealth and emergency healthcare service in the upper reaches of Himachal Pradesh. Over the years, Apollo’s Remote Healthcare division has expanded its reach, touching the lives of over 20.8 million individuals through their clinical interactions in India and various countries across Asia and Africa. Integrating technology, especially telemedicine, has played a pivotal role in achieving these milestones and bridging the healthcare divide.
Partnering with the Smart Village Movement in Meghalaya, Apollo Hospitals has tailored its business model to meet the specific needs of rural markets. This successful collaboration goes beyond addressing healthcare availability, aiming to establish sustainable development models. Combining SVM’s expertise in social intervention programs with Apollo’s healthcare capabilities, the pilot project in Meghalaya focuses on long-term dividends in disease prevention and management. Challenges, though, still remain in building sustainable healthcare models, with a need for increased grassroots awareness and community mobilization. Technology plays a crucial role in Apollo’s efforts, with integrated telemedicine platforms, smart diagnostics, and pharmacy usage algorithms, and capacity-building initiatives to ensure comprehensive care and patient empowerment.
Behavioural Change In Villagers
