ALLAHABAD: Seeking to provide benefits of digitalisation of healthcare to the populace, the district health department plans on setting up e-urban Primary Health Centres (PHCs) for those below poverty line (BPL) in urban areas of the city.The first e-UPHC was set up in Allahabad about six months back on a pilot basis and buoyed by its success the department plans on setting up five new centres at Daraganj, Rajruppur, Guasnagar, Govindpur and Kareli Additional CMO Dr Anil Kumar , said, “The e-UPHC is said to be the first of its kind initiative to offering advantages of digitalisation of healthcare. The step will enable the poor to access specialists through telemedicine and diagnostics.”The department has roped in a Hyderabad-based healthcare to help it set up the e-urban PHCs. Kumar said the first e-UPHC would be operational from first week of June.“The e-UPHCs use technology to provide consultation through telemedicine for select specialities and would offer lab tests and primary healthcare services to the poor through general practitioner and paramedics.”With one-third of the population living in urban areas, the e-UPHCs was drafted by the state health department to offer advanced healthcare services to BPL citizens.“Under the National Urban Health Mission, a total of 22 urban PHCs are currently operational in Allahabad’s urban pockets. Five of them would be converted into e-UPHCs and would offer specialty services like consultation, medical management in cardiovascular diseases and treatment of ailments like gastroenterology, hypertension and other urban lifestyle related ailment through telemedicine,” he added.Moreover, the district health department has also planned to set up six Urban Health Kiosks in Allahabad to offer better services in family planning and immunisation. Medical and paramedical staff would be assigned duties accordingly.

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