Jharkhand became the 12th state to be integrated into the telemedicine facility of the National Health Mission (NHM) esanjeevaniopd.in on Friday.

It will provide patients, stuck at home during the lockdown, quality medical consultation for free. Launching the service on the NHM campus at Namkum, Ranchi, state health minister Banna Gupta said: “On the first day we had a good response with more than 54 consultations. This is another initiative by health department to provide succour to the people from the problems faced in visiting the health centres for OPD consultation.

“It is a boon for those staying on the outskirts. In the long run we also plan to tie-up with specialists for consultations,” said Gupta.

Principal health secretary Nitin Madan Kulkarni said that the format of the esanjeevaniopd has been well thought of. One can now simply login to the portal www.esanjeevaniopd.in for free consultation with general physicians and experts.

“As of now consultations will be provided by eight doctors including a psychiatrist and a lady. In case of surgical intervention the doctors would refer the case to a higher centre. The number of doctors will be gradually increased,” said L.R. Pathak.

There are over 50 doctors in the database now.

The health department is also in talks with specialists from RIMS Ranchi for consultations in various fields in future.