Even though Sri Lanka was still a developing country in the 20th century, Sri Lanka had a robust public healthcare system that was free for everyone at the point of use for all citizens. It has made significant strides in recent years, including achieving high immunization rates, reducing maternal and child mortality, and improving access to healthcare in rural areas.
I didn’t mean it is unavailable right now by mentioning had. However, it is a famous secret Sri Lanka’s publicly funded medical system has crashed due to the economic crises. Currently, healthcare in Sri Lanka needs solutions than updates because people have faced many interruptions due to the concerns. The following listed problems are the significant issues in the healthcare system of Sri Lanka right now.
- Limited resources: Sri Lanka’s healthcare system is underfunded, with a shortage of medical equipment, supplies, and trained healthcare personnel.
- Unequal distribution of healthcare facilities: The healthcare facilities in Sri Lanka are concentrated in urban areas, which leaves rural areas with inadequate access to healthcare services.
- Aging population: The population in Sri Lanka is aging, which strains the healthcare system as older individuals tend to have more healthcare needs.
- Non-communicable diseases: There is a growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer in Sri Lanka, which require more resources and specialized care.
- Mental health: Mental health is still stigmatized in Sri Lanka, and there is a lack of resources and trained mental health professionals to meet the growing demand for mental health services.
- Health information systems: There is a need to strengthen the health information systems in Sri Lanka to improve data collection, analysis, and utilization for evidence-based decision-making.
These problems in the healthcare system require immediate solutions. But no one knows how to solve these problems even without funding.
However, challenges still need to be addressed, such as limited resources, unequal distribution of healthcare facilities, and the need to strengthen health information systems are urgent. So, the only remaining solution in our research is to introduce an innovative way that solves these problems differently. But how?
Here is how telemedicine solves the problems in the healthcare system of Sri Lanka.
With the rise of technology, telemedicine is becoming an increasingly popular option for patients and healthcare providers. This blog post will explore the ways telemedicine changes healthcare in Sri Lanka. You can refer to our previous articles if you need any clarifications about what is telemedicine and how to use it. The links are attached below for your ease.
How does channeling doctors in Sri Lanka work?
How should an active telemedicine service in Sri Lanka be implemented?
Improved access to healthcare for rural communities
We discussed this topic in one of our earlier articles. Click on the link below and review that article to understand that one of the main benefits of telemedicine is the ability to provide healthcare services to remote and rural areas.
Read:- Why is it essential to introduce telehealth to rural Sri Lanka?
In Sri Lanka, there are many areas where access to healthcare is limited, and patients often have to travel long distances to see a doctor. Telemedicine can bridge this gap by allowing patients to connect with healthcare providers remotely. Telemedicine answers this through video consultations, online appointments, and other virtual healthcare services.
Increased efficiency and cost savings for healthcare providers
Telemedicine can also improve efficiency and reduce costs for healthcare providers. By providing virtual consultations and other remote services, healthcare providers can reduce the need for in-person appointments and visits. This can reduce the workload for healthcare professionals, allowing them to focus on more critical cases. Additionally, telemedicine can reduce the cost of healthcare services by eliminating the need for expensive equipment and facilities.
Improved patient experience and satisfaction
Telemedicine can also improve patient experience and satisfaction. With virtual consultations and remote healthcare services, patients can receive care in the comfort of their own homes. This can be particularly beneficial for chronic patients requiring frequent monitoring and care. Additionally, telemedicine can reduce wait times for appointments and consultations, providing patients faster access to healthcare services.
Increased collaboration and communication between healthcare providers
Telemedicine can also improve collaboration and communication between healthcare providers. With virtual consultations and online platforms, healthcare providers can easily share patient information and collaborate on treatment plans. This can improve the quality of patient care and ensure that all healthcare providers are on the same page.
Enhanced healthcare outcomes and reduced healthcare disparities
Telemedicine can help to enhance healthcare outcomes and reduce healthcare disparities in Sri Lanka. By improving access to healthcare services and increasing efficiency, telemedicine can help improve the population’s overall health. Additionally, telemedicine can help reduce healthcare disparities by providing equal healthcare services to all patients, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status.
Telemedicine is revolutionizing healthcare in Sri Lanka by improving access to healthcare services, increasing efficiency, improving the patient experience, enhancing collaboration between healthcare providers, and enhancing healthcare outcomes. With the continued growth of telemedicine, we expect to see further improvements in healthcare in Sri Lanka and beyond.
Why Deedmed Lives for your medical needs?
We have designed the Deedmed Lives telemedicine platform to address these problems and solutions in an innovative way. With our cutting-edge technologies, we have designed features that are essential and unavailable in any other online doctor consultation services(websites/mobile apps/web apps). Services that are available on Deedmed Lives ensure easy use for both doctors and patients. You can easily download our mobile application from Google Play or Apple Store and experience the change of easy healthcare access.
Download The Android Application Here:- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=lk.deedmed.app
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