Government expands teleconsultation services under digital health push

The Centre is stepping up efforts to expand teleconsultation services as part of its broader digital health programme, with officials reporting a steady rise in the use of online medical consultations across the country.

According to data from the Union Health Ministry, telemedicine platforms linked to the national digital health ecosystem have recorded a consistent increase in patient consultations, particularly from smaller towns and rural districts where access to specialist doctors remains limited.

Officials said the initiative is being strengthened through integration with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, which aims to create digital health records and improve the sharing of medical information across healthcare facilities. The expansion of teleconsultation services is expected to ease pressure on hospitals while enabling patients to seek advice without travelling long distances.

Doctors involved in the programme said online consultations have proved particularly useful for follow up visits, routine health monitoring and primary diagnosis. The model also allows district hospitals and primary health centres to connect with specialists in larger medical institutions.

The Health Ministry said further upgrades to the digital infrastructure are planned in the coming months to support higher consultation volumes and ensure more states adopt the system at scale.