From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jan 15: Karnataka has effectively leveraged technology in the battle against Covid-19 pandemic and about 2.5 lakh healthcare and frontline staff have been trained through online platforms so far.
Effective use of technology to fight against the pandemic is model to the entire country, Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said on Saturday.
He was speaking after inaugurating the virtual training program being conducted in association with StepOne for about 10,000 medical, dental and ayush students to train them in home isolation care.
During the first wave, he said it was necessary to provide training to healthcare workers about the new virus. But due to lockdown and other reasons when it was not feasible to conduct physical training, the State Government succeeded in training about 2.5 lakh healthcare and front line staff though online with the help of RGUHS.
Even the Central Government has appreciated Karnataka's efforts to leverage technology, the minister said.
StepOne has partnered with State Government in mobilising volunteers and doctors and training them in tele-triaging. This has led to effective home isolation care in Karnataka.
“Even Niti Ayog has appreciated the home isolation process in Karnataka and the technology deployed for it. Medical students, doctors of Health Department and faculty of medical colleges have played a great role in home isolation management,’’ said Dr Sudhakar.
10,000 medicos deployed
“We have a process to regularly monitor the health of those under home isolation. We are utilising the services of about 10,000 medical, dental and ayush students. About 500 experts are supporting the system,’’ the minister said.
He explained that during the second wave, about 1.33 crore tele-consultations were done including 42.57 lakh doctor consultations. About 36,000 people were provided mental health counseling.
“Several people seek hospitalisation due to panic, even if they are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. If proper counselling is provided though phone, we can reduce unnecessary burden on our health infrastructure,’’ he added.