IIT Bhilai and partners forge path for healthcare innovation in Chhattisgarh

Raipur: The 2nd roundtable discussion on Healthcare Innovation in Chhattisgarh was recently organised by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhilai and IIT Bhilai Innovation and Technology Foundation (IBITF), a Section 8 company of IIT Bhilai, in collaboration with AIIMS Raipur, IIM Raipur, and NIT Raipur, facilitated by Stanford Biodesign. This session aimed to address critical issues such as the current state of healthcare, the impact of government policies, healthcare infrastructure, technological advancements, community involvement, and funding strategies for Chhattisgarh.

Prashant Mathur, CEO of IIT Bhilai Innovation and Technology Foundation, highlighted the objectives and significance of the event during his inaugural address.

Professor Rajiv Prakash, Director of IIT Bhilai, emphasised advancements in drone taxi technology for delivering small medicine containers to villages and remote areas, as well as developments in healthcare app technology, during his address.

Dignitaries from renowned institutes, hospitals, and various industries were present and actively participated in the brainstorming sessions. They discussed critical issues faced by the state and explored potential solutions to address them.

Chhattisgarh Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal emphasised that health is a lifelong concern and that true health is not just about curing diseases but preventing them altogether. He proposed that the younger generation should consider genetic compatibility before marriage, aiming to eradicate diseases like sickle cell anaemia.

Highlighting technological advancements, Jaiswal cited the use of drones for medicine delivery by Ambikapur Medical College as a pioneering example in remote healthcare. He urged leading institutions to innovate in healthcare, promising full government support for such endeavours, and mentioned that the state government is actively enhancing healthcare facilities in remote regions. This initiative includes plans to construct 700-bed hospitals in Raipur and Bilaspur, as well as super-speciality hospitals in Bastar and Surguja.

Among other key speakers, Dr Dhirendra Tiwari, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, highlighted rural healthcare challenges, stressing the need for upskilling technology to ensure equitable healthcare access and advocating for comprehensive infrastructure and skill development upgrades.

Lieutenant General Ashok Jindal, Director of AIIMS Raipur, emphasised the crucial role of innovation in transforming healthcare delivery and outcomes, especially in states like Chhattisgarh with unique challenges. He highlighted the need for tailored healthcare solutions for Chhattisgarh’s diverse, often remote population, stressing the importance of empowering frontline healthcare workers like Aanganwadi workers with tools, training, and technology to improve care.

Professor NV Ramana Rao, Director of NIT Raipur, echoed the importance of collaboration in healthcare, particularly in advancing ambulatory monitoring technologies.

Professor Ram Kumar Kakani, Director of IIM Raipur, host of the 1st Roundtable discussion on Healthcare Innovation in Chhattisgarh held on April 18, 2024, at IIM Raipur, summarised key takeaways from the first roundtable and thanked Hon’ble Minister Shri Jaiswal for accepting the invitation to participate in this second conclave.

Professor Anurag Mairal, Director of the Global Outreach Programme, Stanford Byer Center for Biodesign, and Dr Megha Agrawal, an alumna of Stanford Biodesign, facilitated the brainstorming sessions and will work with the Chhattisgarh healthcare innovation community to advance the goals of this ambitious initiative. Prashant Mathur, CEO of IBITF, concluded the session with a vote of thanks.