YO.DH, a volunteer-led community of digital health professionals under the age of 35, aims to nurture the next generation of leaders in the digital health sector. With a vision to empower young professionals, YO.DH seeks to provide increased representation, knowledge, and networks to enable informed, innovative, and responsible leadership. As part of this mission, YO.DH organizes YO.DH Discovery, an initiative focused on arranging field visits to centers of excellence, innovation hubs, and incubators in the digital health space. These visits showcase pioneering solutions, research, and experiments that have made significant impacts, fostering learning and inspiration among participants.

On 1st April 2024 , YO.DH Discovery organized its first field visit in collaboration with C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) Mohali, to explore telemedicine solutions and understand the operational framework of e-Sanjeevani, India’s national telemedicine service.

The journey started from Delhi, where YO.DH members fueled with excitement and a shared passion for digital health, gathered early in the morning for an enriching experience. The journey was not merely a physical transit, but one of knowledge and discovery. Upon our arrival at C-DAC, we were warmly welcomed by the e-Sanjeevani team, who then proceeded to host a knowledge-sharing session with us, shedding light on the inception and operational framework of their telemedicine platform. Through compelling demonstrations from both patient and doctor perspectives, they showcased the practical applications of their system. Engaging discussions between the YO.DHAs and the eSanjeevani team underscored the critical role of telemedicine in expanding healthcare accessibility throughout India. We gained valuable insights into both the challenges and successes encountered.

The interaction sparked lively discussions, delving into topics such as eSanjeevani's evolution, its alignment with the goals of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and strategies for enhancing its efficiency. We eagerly inquired about the frequency of software updates and received detailed responses, enriching our understanding of the platform's ongoing development. After the enlightening session, we had a delightful time interacting with the eSanjeevani team, over lunch.

After our visit to CDAC, where we delved into the theoretical aspects of the eSanjeevani model, we made our way to PGIMER, Chandigarh. This visit offered us a firsthand experience of the model in action. We witnessed live teleconsultations facilitated by a dedicated team of specialists covering various fields such as ENT, Pediatrics, Gynecology, and Internal Medicine. In addition to teleconsultations, PGIMER, Chandigarh, stands out as a Center of Excellence in Telepathology in Healthcare, helping remote medical centers with pathology services and professional diagnoses. This is recognized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

During our interaction with the doctors at PGIMER, we inquired about the daily challenges they encounter, the average number of consultations they handle each day, and their strategies for overcoming these challenges. Their insights shed light on how the eSanjeevani model works in practice.

After our visits, we headed back to Delhi. The YO.DH team felt inspired and better informed. Our time at C-DAC Mohali and PGIMER Chandigarh showed us how important technology is in changing healthcare for the better. It strengthened our resolve to use digital solutions for making a positive difference.

The visit abounded networking opportunities for the YO.DHAs fostering meaningful connections among participants and igniting collaborative discussions. YO.DHAs from different states, organizations and career stages, were present, resulting in a rich and diverse gathering. This experience was truly the first of its kind and the YODHAs are eagerly looking forward to future visits!