Himachal's e-governance takes a 'healthy' turn

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The IT Department of Himachal Pradesh government is on its way to add another feather to its cap of e-governance. The IT department of the state will float request for proposal (RFP) in the coming days to expedite its Health Management Information System (HMIS).

HMIS is aimed to provide relief to patients from standing in long queues and also improving different kind of management in the government hospitals.

"We are going to make 20 district-level hospitals completely automated. After implementation of HMIS, the patients will be relieved from standing in long queues at hospital. We are providing this facility for referred patients. This system will allow all patients to make payments online for various kind of tests and buying medicine instead of going to the counter.

This will also provide information to higher authorities in accessing information on a click of button and make quick decision," said Rajeev Sharma, deputy director, department of Information Technology, Himachal Pradesh.

HMIS is an e-governance initiative of Himachal Pradesh government. Cellebrum Technologies will provide SMS gateway for HMIS, which expected to change the healthcare scenario of the state.

"Through SMS, hospitals will update patients on the status of their test report and other updates required for the patient," added Sharma.

With this facility, senior officials will be able to take decision on posting of medical officers and specialist as per the need of the district. This system will also provide the instant status of blood banks.

"Using HMIS, people can access information about blood availability in the blood banks at various hospitals," said Sharma.

The size of RFP is yet to be decided but seeing the requirement of the state, it is expected to be in eight figures. This RFP include IT capacity and infrastructure building at 20 hospitals selected by the government, development of software. The vendor will be responsible to manage the whole set-up for a period of five years.