UP: YouTube Channel Created for Competence Building of Government Doctors in Remote Areas

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh health department is using YouTube for continuous medical education and competence building of government doctors posted in remote areas.

A YouTube channel -- "Shukrawar ki Shyam, Doctors ke Naam" -- has been started where specialist doctors make demo-cum-PPT presentations at 6 pm every Friday, said Partha Sarthi Sensharma, the principal secretary of the medical health and family welfare department.

"While some hundreds of doctors join them live, many more watch the episodes later," Sensharma said.

Earlier in October 2023 , with the aim of enhancing healthcare accessibility, especially in rural areas, a proposal to launch ‘digital doctor’ facility was incepted.

This service is in development, incorporating a blend of telemedicine and on-the-spot basic diagnostic capabilities. Proposals for the program have been submitted by the private sector, and the state government will determine its final structure.

The initial trial of this service is expected to take place in Lucknow and Bulandshahr before gradual expansion to other districts. The services offered within the digital doctor scheme will be at the level of primary health centres. Initially, 20 centres will be established in Lucknow and Bulandshahr.

The state government already offers telemedicine services that provide medical consultations, and urban areas feature health ATMs for basic testing. At the digital doctor centres, health assistants will aid individuals in consulting with doctors, assessing their illnesses, and conducting necessary tests. The test results will be shared with doctors to facilitate the prescription of medications. These medications will also be available to patients at the digital doctor clinics at discounted rates.

(With inputs from PTI)