The Uttar Pradesh government has recommended setting up ‘Health ATMs’ in order to deliver healthcare through telemedicine to villagers in remote areas.

This was announced at a press conference today (July 2), by Navneet Sehgal, additional chief secretary, Information Department. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to demonstrate how the ‘Health ATMs’ work, Sehgal stated.

A Health ATM is a machine through which doctors can deliver healthcare through telemedicine to villagers, and prescribe medication to them. The ATMs will measure body mass index, blood pressure, body fat, pulse rate and oxygen levels. Health workers and technicians will be given training to operate the health ATMs.

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Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath in a meeting with officials, asked them to conduct demonstrations and prepare a detailed action plan.

Sehgal also said that Uttar Pradesh, despite being the most populous state, is reporting a decrease in COVID-19 cases because of the 3-T strategy of testing, tracing, and treatment. According to data from the state government, 133 new daily cases of coronavirus were reported in the last 24 hours. However, 228 patients have recovered.

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Sehgal also said that in the last 24 hours, 270,723 COVID tests were conducted in the state. Even with the cases dropping, at least 250,000 tests are being conducted every day, and so far, more than 58 million tests have been carried out.

With the spectre of a ‘third wave’, the Uttar Pradesh government is setting up paediatric beds and oxygen plants.

“We had a target of setting up 6,700 beds, of which 6,324 are ready. We also have a target of setting up 528 oxygen plants. Of these, 114 are ready,” said Sehgal.

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