In the rural pockets of Doddaballapura, Bengaluru, Karnataka, access to healthcare is often defined by distance, time, and affordability. To bridge this gap, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India introduced the E-Sanjeevani portal (esanjeevani.mohfw.gov.in/). The telemedicine initiative connects patients in villages to doctors remotely, and we stepped in to provide the required equipment. No longer restrained by distance and inaccessibility, the community members now use this as a lifeline to receive essential support.
At a Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Doddaballapura, about 12–15 people gather daily to consult doctors through the portal. Specialists, having domain expertise, listen to villagers, their health concerns, offer prescriptions, and reassure worried families. For the elderly and mothers with children, this experience has replaced hours of travel with timely medical attention. Elderly patients speak of the comfort of receiving regular check-ups without the strain of travel, while young mothers express relief that their children’s fevers or minor illnesses are attended to quickly. For patients, the Sanjeevani portal has brought not just convenience but also dignity in accessing healthcare. Earlier, a few borrowed money or depended on others for transport to reach distant hospitals. Now that consultations are available within their village, they feel more in control of their health, and access is much closer. Villagers who once postponed care due to cost or distance now walk in regularly, knowing they can connect with a qualified doctor without leaving their community. This sense of reassurance is gradually building a healthier, more confident community.
“Earlier, I had to wait for someone to take me to the city hospital, and most of the time I just ignored the pain. Through the Sanjeevani portal, I was connected to a specialist who diagnosed my condition and prescribed the right treatment. Today, my leg pain has reduced, and I can walk comfortably again. I never thought I could get such care without leaving my village.”
— Patient attending the Telemedicine consultation
By enabling the smooth functioning of the PHCs under Sanjeevani, this contribution is helping ensure that the government’s vision translates into impact on the ground. Together, the initiative is making healthcare accessible, reliable, and closer to home — a step forward in transforming rural health systems.
