This article was originially published in the in its March issue. It featured a story on the implementation of a Hospital Management and Information System by Ӱֱat Jan Swasthya Sahyog Hospital in Chattisgarh, India.
“When we started to work with clients inthe social sector, our strategy was thatwe are a global technology company, andthis is the value we bring to the sector.Today, after a few years of working withclients in this space, even how we approachthe problem is different. Although technology isstill the largest part of what we do, we also lookat the other aspects that need to be in place tomake that technology successful.” - Pradipta Kundu, Client Principal, Ӱֱ
Supporting a truly ambitious mission
Jan Swasthya Sahyog (JSS) is a voluntary,non-profit, registered society of health professionalsrunning a low-cost health programin the rural areas of Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.For 14 plus years, they have beenproviding healthcare services through acommunity health programme in a ruralhealth centre, which includes a 55-bed hospital.They operate village outreach centresin three other villages that are not easily accessible.The team at JSS researches waysto minimise the cost of healthcare and influencepolicy makers. They also advocate forthe poor in various areas of public health.
Patients at JSS typically wait one fullweek to see a doctor – in spite of the outpatientdepartment accommodating 300patient visits per day, including emergencycases. Many of these patients live on siteduring this time. They sleep in corridorsand cook on makeshift wood-burning stoves,while waiting patiently in 47°C temperature.The cost of transportation and the opportunitycost of lost wages for patients and theirfamilies are not insignificant. And yet, theychoose to make the long journey to JSS becausethey have the utmost faith that theywill be cured there.
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