The state government is planning to launch a digital platform to ensure priority booking of consultations, diagnostics, and treatment for suspected cancer patients and those already undergoing cancer care. As a result, patients will no longer need to stand in long queues at major government hospitals.
District Hospitals to Enable Seamless Appointment Booking
Under the proposed system, patients can book appointments at their nearest district headquarters hospital (DHH). Once the booking is completed, they can visit the designated tertiary care hospital at a pre-scheduled time slot. This approach will significantly reduce unnecessary travel and waiting time, while also easing patients’ anxiety about missing OPD consultations, diagnostic procedures, or treatment schedules.
NIC to Develop the Digital Cancer Care Platform
Meanwhile, the National Informatics Centre (NIC), a government agency, will develop the digital platform. According to officials from the health and family welfare department, if a doctor at a DHH detects cancer-related symptoms, the doctor or hospital staff will immediately arrange a teleconsultation with an oncologist at a tertiary care hospital.
If further intervention is required, the system will digitally schedule the patient’s appointment at the tertiary facility for the next course of action.
Teleconsultation and Categorised Appointments for Patients
In addition, the platform will offer teleconsultation services for cancer patients on follow-up treatment. After booking, patients will receive confirmed dates and time slots for consultation, diagnosis, or treatment.
Appointments will be classified into three categories—emergency care, priority diagnosis, and general OPD—to ensure timely and appropriate care.
Tertiary Hospitals to Act as Hubs for Cancer Care
Speaking on the initiative, Susanta Kumar Swain, Additional Director (Non-Communicable Disease), Health and Family Welfare Department, said that leading tertiary care institutions will function as hubs, while DHHs will act as spokes.
As reported by TOI, the hub hospitals include SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack; MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur; VIMSAR, Burla; Acharya Harihar PG Institute of Cancer (AHPGIC), Cuttack; and AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
Assured Appointments to Prevent Unnecessary Travel
Currently, many patients travel to top hospitals without certainty of securing a doctor’s appointment or diagnostic slot. However, Swain said that once the digital solution is implemented, all services will be booked in advance, ensuring a smooth and stress-free hospital experience for cancer patients.
Real-Time Information on Beds, Doctors, and Diagnostics
Furthermore, the digital platform will display real-time information on bed availability, doctors on duty, and the status of diagnostic facilities across hospitals, enabling better planning and coordination of care.
Government Emphasis on Early Cancer Detection
Recently, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling reiterated the government’s focus on early cancer diagnosis. He stressed the need to create awareness among the public about early signs and symptoms of cancer so that people seek timely medical attention at nearby hospitals or consult oncologists for early diagnosis and treatment.