Author: wpadmin

Date: 12th July 2025
Venue: Board Room, IISc Medical School Foundation, 5th Floor, IDA Building, Bengaluru.
Mode: Hybrid (Physical + Zoom)
Time: 10:00 AM onwards
Reported by: Dr. Umashankar S, Honorary Secretary, TSI

The Mid-Term Executive Committee Meeting of the Telemedicine Society of India (TSI) was held on 12th July 2025 at 10:00 AM in a hybrid mode. The physical meeting was convened at the IISc Medical School Foundation, Bengaluru, and members unable to attend in person joined via Zoom.

The meeting commenced with a warm welcome by the Honorary Secretary, Dr. Umashankar S, followed by a Presidential message that highlighted the Society’s ongoing commitment to advancing telemedicine across the country.

Key updates were shared by the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer, and important decisions were taken regarding society activities, conferences, and health initiatives. The meeting reflected active participation and a shared vision for advancing telemedicine in India.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks by the Honorary Secretary, appreciating the participation and ongoing contributions of all EC members, and reiterating the Society’s focus on innovation, inclusion, and impactful healthcare delivery through telemedicine.

Telemedicine has been a blessing for chronic disease management. Among the many fields it has transformed, diabetes care stands out due to the continuous and proactive management it requires. Diabetes as we are aware is a chronic condition that affects a large population with over 500 million people worldwide. India is known as diabetes capital of the world.

Most dialectologist practitioners have monitored their patient using telephone or sms messages or Whatsapp – hence telemedicine has only added to the ease and this has further been made easy with availability of many diabetes specific apps, it has become ever so easy to manage this condition. Hence the integration of telemedicine in diabetes practice has significantly improved patient outcomes, accessibility, and the efficiency of healthcare delivery.

Effective management of diabetes hinges on regular monitoring of blood glucose levels, lifestyle modifications through constant reminders and nudges, medication adherence, and frequent communication between patients and healthcare providers. Traditionally, this has involved frequent in-person visits. However, telemedicine has introduced a paradigm shift by enabling remote monitoring, virtual consultations, and real-time data sharing between patients and clinicians.

One of the core advantages of telemedicine in diabetes care is improved access, especially for patients in rural or underserved regions. Geographic barriers and limited mobility often prevent consistent follow-up visits. With telemedicine, patients can connect with clinicians like endocrinologists, diabetes educators or coaches, and dietitians from the comfort of their homes. This reduces the burden of travel, saves time, and ensures that more people receive regular care.

Technology plays a central role in this model. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), smart insulin pens, and mobile apps allow patients to track their blood glucose levels and insulin usage in real-time. These data can be automatically uploaded to cloud-based platforms, where healthcare providers can review trends and make timely adjustments to treatment plans. Video consultations enable providers to explain changes, answer questions, and provide personalized counseling, maintaining a high standard of care without the need for face-to-face interaction.

Telemedicine also empowers patients to take an active role in managing their condition. Educational resources and virtual coaching can be delivered through telehealth platforms, increasing patient engagement and understanding of the disease. For individuals newly diagnosed with diabetes, virtual onboarding sessions can provide essential training on glucose monitoring, insulin administration, and dietary guidance.

In a significant step toward strengthening digital health infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh, a comprehensive workshop on “Basics of Telemedicine and Telemedicine Practice Guidelines” was conducted on 24th May 2025 for AYUSH Medical Officers across the state. The training was led by Prof. (Dr.) Umashankar S, Honorary Secretary of the Telemedicine Society of India, and was organized by the Department of AYUSH, Government of Himachal Pradesh. The event was hosted at the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Government Post Graduate Ayurvedic College and Hospital, located in Paprola, Kangra.

The workshop brought together 38 Medical Officers from various districts of Himachal Pradesh. The primary objective was to build awareness and capacity among AYUSH practitioners in the use of telemedicine—an increasingly critical component of modern healthcare delivery, especially in remote and hard-to-reach regions.

Given the hilly and difficult terrain of Himachal Pradesh, many residents face logistical challenges in accessing timely healthcare services. In response, the AYUSH department has recently launched telemedicine services to help bridge this gap. These services allow patients to consult qualified practitioners remotely, thereby improving access to healthcare, reducing travel burdens, and enabling continuity of care, particularly in rural and tribal areas.

Recognizing the growing role of digital health, the then Director of AYUSH, Dr. Nipun Jindal IAS, emphasized the importance of structured training for medical officers. Recognizing the growing role of digital health, the then Director of AYUSH, Dr. Nipun Jindal IAS, emphasized the importance of structured training for medical officers. Dr. Jindal has been instrumental in spearheading several digitization initiatives in Himachal Pradesh, both during his tenure as Director of the AYUSH Department and in his current role as Director of the Department of Digital Technologies and Governance.

The workshop was designed to cover both the technical foundations and regulatory frameworks of telemedicine practice.

The training sessions included in-depth discussions and interactive modules on:

• Basics of Telemedicine: Understanding its scope, modes, and applications in AYUSH systems.

• Telemedicine Practice Guidelines: Detailed overview of the official guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, ensuring safe and standardized practice.

• Telemedicine Etiquette: Best practices for online consultations, including patient communication, data confidentiality, and digital professionalism.

• The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023: Key highlights and legal obligations concerning data privacy, security, and ethical handling of patient information.

The sessions were well-received by participants, who expressed appreciation for the clarity, relevance, and practical value of the content. Several officers noted that the training would directly enhance their ability to deliver quality care through digital platforms and build trust with patients using teleconsultation services. At the conclusion of the program, certificates of completion were awarded to all participants who successfully completed the workshop, acknowledging their commitment to professional development and readiness to deliver telehealth services as per the national standards.

This initiative represents a proactive and timely effort by the Department of AYUSH to integrate traditional systems of medicine with modern technology, fostering innovation in public health service delivery. By empowering AYUSH Medical Officers with the right tools and knowledge, the state is making commendable progress through this initiative that marks a significant step towards digital health empowerment and quality healthcare delivery in the state. toward achieving equitable and accessible healthcare for all.

Few Glimpses of the session

The 13th annual conference of The Telemedicine Society of India (TSI), Odisha Chapter (Oditelemedicon 2025) was organized by TSI, Odisha Chapter in association with District Health Administration, Angul as a hybrid event on 12th April 2025. The venue for the conference was Black Diamond Complex, Angul, Odisha. The theme of the conference was “Emerging Technologies influencing health care services”. A total number of 124 participants from various districts of Odisha physically attended the conference. 17 TSI members attended the conference over virtual platform.

The conference was inaugurated by Mr.Abdaal M Akhtar, IAS, Collector & District Magistrate, Angul. Dr. Umashankar S , Secretary of Telemedicine Society of India attended the inaugural function as guest of honour. Dr. Bijay Kumar Mohapatra, president of TSI, Odisha Chapter presided over the function. Annual Report of the chapter was presented by Odisha Chapter secretary Dr. Sabyasachi Patnaik.

The 1^st session was held on ‘Digital Solutions to meet healthcare needs’. The speakers in this session were Dr. B S Ratta, paediatric surgeon from Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune & past-president of TSI; Ms. Madhu Bhatia, Project Manager, DHID from C-DAC, Mohali and Dr.BNR Subudhi, chairman of Ruby Eye Hospital from Berhampur.

The 2^nd session was held on ‘Innovations and changing clinical practice’. The speakers in this session were Dr. Pawan Gupta,Sr. Director of Surgical Oncology from MAX Hospital, Delhi NCR; Dr. Bidyut K Das,professor of clinical immunology & rheumatology from SCB Medical College, Cuttack ; Dr. Lucy Patnaik, Associate professor of Radiation Oncology from AH Post Graduate Institute of Cancer, Cuttack and Dr.Anshuman Das, Consultant, Department of Anaesthesia from NALCO Hospital, Angul.

The thematic symposium was held on the theme “Emerging Technologies influencing health care services” at 2.15pm convened by Dr. S K Mishra,Professor of the department of of Endocrine Surgery at Dr. RML Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow-cum- past president of TSI. The speakers were Dr. S K Mishra himself; Dr.Alok Modi,Medical Director of Dr Modi’s KEVALYA HOSPITAL from Thane,Maharastra; Dr.Umashankar S, Managing Director of Med.bot , Arogyayati Private Limited from Bangalore and Dr.P K Pradhan,Professor of Nuclear Medicine from SGPGIMS,Lucknow-cum- past president of TSI.

In the closing session held at 3.50pm, Dr.K Ganapathy, distinguished professor of The Tamilnadu Dr MGR Medical University and past-president of TSI delivered a talk on ‘Technological advances in healthcare in 2030: A peep in to the future’.

The chair persons for different sessions were Dr. I B Kar, past-president, TSI Odisha Chapter from Cuttack; Dr. B K Mohapatra, president of TSI Odisha Chapter from Bhubaneswar; Dr. S K Nayak ex-treasurer of TSI Odisha Chapter from Cuttack, Dr. Prabeer Ch. Mohanty, past-president of TSI Odisha Chapter from New Delhi; Dr.Arun K Choudhury, EC Member of TSI Odisha Chapter from Cuttack; Dr. Arun K Mohanty, Vice-President of TSI Odisha Chapter from Cuttack, Dr.Sibananda Mohanty past-president of TSI Odisha Chapter from Angul and Dr.B N Mohanty, past-president of TSI from Cuttack.

Medical Officers and Community Health Officers from various Govt. Hospitals of Angul District; IMA members of Angul & Talcher branch; Teachers of PMP Medical College & Hospital Angul; Medical Officers of NALCO Hospital; Medical Officers of O P Jindal Occupational Health Center of Jindal Nagar Angul; Medical Officers of NSC Hospital Talcher; TSI members and health administrators attended the conference in-person. Members of TSI including past-presidents, current executive committee members and other invited guests participated in the program over virtual platform from different locations.

The Annual General Body Meeting of the TSI, Odisha Chapter was held at the same venue at 1.15pm on 12.04.2025. The following life members of TSI were elected as office bearers of the Odisha state chapter for the term 2025-26.

The valedictory function was held at 4.15pm. Newly elected president Dr. BNR Subudhi was installed during the valedictory function. After installation the incoming president spoke about his plan of action for the coming year. The District Health Administration of Angul District represented by CDM & PHO, Angul was felicitated by President of TSI. Chief Coordinator of the conference Dr. B N Mohanty thanked profusely the Collector & District Magistrate of Angul and the district health administration for their overwhelming support to organize the conference. He also thanked all invited speakers. In the valedictory function, president of IMA, Angul branch highly appreciated the TSI, Odisha Chapter for its consistent effort in enhancing the knowledge of medical professionals of different districts of Odisha on the changing spectrum of digital health application and the consequent benefits to the common man.

Glimpses of the Oditelemedicon 2025