Doctors In India To Be Tracked With GPS Device

Apparently, not being able to get prompt medical attention is a big issue in India. So much so, Jharkhand authorities plan to turn to GPS tracking devices to alleviate the problem.

The program started on September 2, in which the state has installed GPS tracking devices and webcams on 274 of their fleet’s ambulances. This will show officials if remote areas of the state known as panchayats are receiving adequate medical treatment or not, according to state health minister Rajendra Prasad Singh. Singh’s goal: hold civil surgeons accountable in all 24 districts of the state.

“Our objective is to ensure health officials go to panchayats. There have been complaints that doctors and nurses don’t visit government health centers in villages. Civil surgeons don’t monitor where the medical personnel go. The only way to change this is by using technology intelligently and track the lapses,” he said.

The GPS tracking devices, installed on 274 ambulances along with webcams to the tune of Rs 716 crore, will monitor the ambulances’ whereabouts while the webcam will show officials exactly who and what — ECG, X-Ray, emergency equipment — is on board at any given time.

“The principal secretary has instructed all civil surgeons to submit a visit roster for every fortnight, which covers three panchayats a day. K Vidyasagar, the health department principal secretary, will also constitute a special cell to monitor ambulance locations in real time using GPS software to check if the visit roster is being adhered to or not,” Singh said.

This means that all GPS tracking data and webcam footage will be sent along to the health department’s principal secretary each and every day. Civil surgeons will need to plan out their daily schedule so that three panchayats are visited every day.

“Action will be taken against medical professionals who do not visit rural areas,” Singh added.

But why aren’t the doctors visiting these remote areas? Most say they worry for their safety. Singh acknowledges this, and as such, “need-based logistics will be arranged.”

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Doctors In India To Be Tracked With GPS Device