In Nepal’s growing drive for digital healthcare initiatives, Ncell and Dhulikhel Hospital are steadily revolutionizing telemedicine catering medical services remotely to various remote regions. The service has benefited thousands of people in rural and remote areas in Nepal thanks to the continuous effort of Ncell and Dhulikhel Hospital.
Namely, Ncell’s Telemedicine and Health Informatics Program in collaboration with Dhulikhel Hospital has set a benchmark in social initiatives transforming Nepal’s healthcare service. The successful implementation of the project has inspired many other health institutions to follow suit. Various hospitals and health centers within the authority of the Bagmati Province Government have started similar telemedicine services thanks to the pioneering efforts of Ncell and Dhulikhel Hospital.
What is telemedicine in healthcare?
In healthcare, telemedicine refers to the delivery of medical services over the Internet. Usually, telemedicine works through a video chat however, voice calls are also useful. It’s highly useful in cases where the patients are unable to travel to hospitals due to geographical, climatic, or other conditions. In the drive for digital transformation of healthcare services, telemedicine remains at the forefront for helping to realize the long-wished goals of digital transformation of health services.
Ncell started cooperation with Dhulikhel Hospital for telemedicine in 2019 as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project with the objective of providing high-quality healthcare services to underserved people in remote areas of Nepal.
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80,000 people benefitted from the Telemedicine service of Ncell, Dhulikhel Hospital
After launching digital health services, over 80,000 people from across more than 15,000 households from rural Nepali areas have gained access to quality health services. They are getting medical attention from four community outreach centers of the hospital. Dhulikhel Hospital has four outreach centers- Manekharka (Sindhupalchowk), Dorpu (Solukhumbu), Thangsin (Nuwakot), and Bolde Kavrepalchowk. Thanks to this initiative, the locals in these areas receive treatments for various chronic communicable and non-communicable diseases. Besides, the locals also get X-Ray, Ultrasound, Echo, CT Scan, and a number of other health services through this initiative.
Jabbor Kayumov, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Ncell said, “In our efforts to highlight our contributions to the society we operate in, I would like to reiterate our brand theme ‘Here for You,’ signifying Ncell’s commitment to Nepal and its people at all times. We truly live by this essence. In contributing to the digital nation-building and the digital transformation of the eco-system, we are extremely happy to continue this initiative and play a vital role in ensuring access to quality healthcare using technology and data-driven healthcare methods.”
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Personalized Health Program (PHP) is a hallmark of this telemedicine project
One of the most distinct features of this digital health initiative is the Personalized Health Program (PHP), which provides personalized health services to locals from the project areas. The strategically located outreach centers conduct regular health monitoring to ensure timely intervention at the local level and develop data-driven behavior change for the betterment of local people’s health.
This joint initiative of Ncell with Dhulikhel Hospital has set a benchmark in the country’s health ecosystem. Dhulikhel Hospital mentions that PHP has been replicated by Dhulikhel Municipality, Panchkhal Municipality of Kavre, and several other local levels. Likewise, a similar telemedicine service model has been replicated in two rural hospitals and three health centers by the Bagmati Province Government in collaboration with Dhulikhel Hospital.
Dr. Biraj Karmacharya, Public Health and Community Programme Director at Dhulikhel Hospital said, “Ncell and Dhulikhel Hospital’s association has set an example in revolutionizing the way health services are provided for the betterment of people from far-flung areas. Bagmati Province has joined hands with us to replicate the telemedicine service in Manthali Hospital (Ramechhap), Jibjibe Rural Hospital (Rasuwa), Lampantar Primary Health Centre (Sindhuli), Salyantar Primary Health Centre (Dhading), and Kharanitar Primary Health Centre (Nuwakot). Dhulikhel Hospital acts as a hub hospital for these hospitals and health centers, providing benefits to more than 150,000 local people from the project areas.”
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Serving the locals in an innovative way thanks to technology
The telemedicine service allows the locals in remote areas to connect with expert doctors using advanced telemedicine kits. They can consult directly with doctors in Dhulikhel Hospital without having to travel to Dhulikhel. They also save their time and energy going to nearby city hospitals for consultations.
Technology-driven services such as telemedicine help promote inclusivity and bridge the digital divide in Nepal. All credit to Dhulikhel Hospital and Ncell for their cooperation and commitment to uplift the health service of the community, especially for the locals living in remote areas in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs about the Ncell, Dhulikhel Hospital Telemedicine Project
Yes. Telemedicine health service is available in Nepal. One of the prime instances is the Dhulikhel Hospital and Ncell collaboration.
Yes. Telemedicine service requires the internet to establish communication between doctors and patients. But that may not always be necessary too.
This telemedicine project is a technology-inspired healthcare service developed to provide vital health services to people living in various remote areas in Nepal.
Ncell and Dhulikhel Hospital started the highly successful telemedicine project in 2019.
The project aims at delivering healthcare services in remote regions using the internet and technology. The purpose is to serve the underserved community with quality healthcare services using technology and data-driven healthcare methods.
Dhulikhel Hospital provides telemedicine services through 4 outreach centers – Manekharka (Sindhupalchowk), Dorpu (Solukhumbu), Thangsin (Nuwakot), and Bolde Kavrepalchowk.
Under the telemedicine initiative, the Personalized Health Program (PHP) is designed to provide personalized health services wherein, health workers perform regular monitoring of the people at the local level.
Ncell provides telemedicine equipment and helps establish connectivity at the local community health centers to Dhulikhel Hospital – Kathmandu University Hospital (DH-KUH). The operator is also providing financial assistance to DH-KUH for the procurement of local suppliers and services necessary for the execution of the project.
