India has introduced a nationwide helpline aimed at connecting patients across the country with ophthalmologists in Delhi, in a move health experts say could significantly improve access to specialized care.
Tackling Delays in Diagnosis
The service, organizers say, is designed to provide remote consultations and guidance for eye-related ailments, including cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal disorders. By offering quick access to specialists, the helpline seeks to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment that often lead to worsening conditions.
Bridging Rural and Urban Gaps
For patients in smaller towns and rural regions, traveling to metropolitan hospitals has long been the only way to secure advanced eye care. The helpline promises to bridge that gap, enabling those in underserved communities to consult top doctors without leaving their homes.
A Step Toward Patient-Centric Care
Health leaders called the launch an important step in making healthcare more inclusive. “This helpline is about more than convenience—it’s about ensuring equity in access,” one senior ophthalmologist said. If successful, experts believe the model could be replicated for other medical specialties.
