Ranchi: Health minister Irfan Ansari, on the concluding day of the Digital Health Conclave, pressed for the need for investment, strong financial aid from Centre and adoption of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to plug the gaps existing in Jharkhand’s health sector.Ansari, speaking at the conclave on Thursday, said that the state’s health sector had lagged behind other states in the country over the past 26 years due to various factors.“Although Jharkhand is rich in mineral resources, the state is still grappling with various shortcomings in the health and education sectors. But now Jharkhand will lead the country in the health sector with adoption of digital technology, AI and emerge as a model state. I am constantly in touch with the Union health minister for financial aid and received assurances from him too,” he said.Ansari, appealing to participating investors in the conclave to set up hospitals in Jharkhand, assured them that the govt would provide all necessary assistance needed for such projects.He reiterated his vision to make Jharkhand a hub of medical tourism in future and curb migration of patients from Jharkhand to other states for treatment.Health department’s additional chief secretary Ajoy Kumar Singh in his address said that the state is in need of around 1.1 lakh hospital beds against the existing 28,000 and requires 40,000 doctors to meet the World Health Organisation’s prescribed doctor-patient ratio. The state currently has 7,000 MBBS doctors.Singh added that 16 districts in the state till date do not have access to ICU facilities. “Digital technology, telemedicine and AI could help us bridge this gap. Tele-ICU facilities could connect specialist doctors with hospitals across the state. If telemedicine and AI are properly integrated, specialised healthcare could be made available even at the remotest corners of the state,” he said.
Irfan Ansari
