Udupi: The District Hospital at Ajjarkad is making steady progress in its transition towards a fully digital healthcare system, emerging as a frontrunner in Karnataka’s pilot project aimed at modernising public health services.
Selected as one of four districts for the state government’s initiative, the hospital has already achieved over 50% implementation of its digital transformation programme. The project is being carried out in collaboration with private healthcare technology firm Drucare.
End-to-end digital process introduced
District Surgeon Dr Ashok H said the hospital has automated the entire patient care process—from registration to diagnosis and treatment documentation. Despite handling nearly 800 outpatient visits daily, the system has been effectively integrated into routine operations.
At the registration stage, patients are enrolled using an Android mobile application. During this process, their ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) is also created or linked, ensuring a unified digital health record.
Doctors equipped with digital tools
All doctors at the hospital have been provided with tablets, enabling them to access patient details instantly. From symptoms and complaints to diagnosis, prescribed medication, and treatment plans, every step is recorded digitally in real time.
“This allows doctors to have a complete view of a patient’s medical history, even if the patient does not carry previous reports,” Dr Ashok explained.
Seamless lab integration and real-time reports
One of the key features of the system is the seamless integration with laboratory services. When doctors recommend diagnostic tests, the requests are directly transmitted to the lab through the software.
Similarly, lab results are uploaded to the system and made available instantly to both doctors and patients. This eliminates delays and reduces dependency on physical documents.
Patients can also access their reports through the app, improving transparency and convenience in healthcare delivery.
Benefits for economically weaker patients
The digital system is particularly beneficial for economically weaker sections who rely on government hospitals. By maintaining comprehensive online records, the hospital ensures continuity of care and minimises the risk of lost or incomplete medical histories.
Officials said the system also reduces paperwork, streamlines workflow, and enhances efficiency in handling high patient volumes.
Pilot project across four districts
The digital transformation initiative, which began in October last year, is being implemented on a pilot basis in four districts—Dharwad, Ballari, Tumakuru, and Udupi.
Among these, Udupi has shown notable progress, positioning itself as a model for other districts to follow.
Suggestions for further improvement
Dr Ashok noted that several suggestions have been submitted to enhance the system further. One key recommendation is to provide access to postgraduate medical students, enabling them to assist with patient registration during peak hours.
He expressed confidence that once these improvements are incorporated, the hospital will achieve complete digital transformation.
Conclusion
The progress at Ajjarkad District Hospital highlights the potential of digital technology in transforming public healthcare delivery. With real-time data access, improved efficiency, and better patient outcomes, the initiative marks a significant step towards a more modern and accessible healthcare system in Karnataka.