BANGALORE: The statistics are alarming: only 0.7 physician and one nurse are available for every 1,000 people in India. And, 65% of physicians live in urban areas, while the countryside is home to 65%-70% of the population. Over 50% of rural Indians travel at least

for medical care.

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100kmCiting these statistics at the golden jubilee celebrations of St John's Medical College here on Friday, NR Narayana Murthy, executive chairman, Infosys, said: "Effective use of technology is important to deliver healthcare. By leveraging technology, you can bring down lack of access and cost of healthcare."Murthy talked about advances in healthcare: "We've brought down the infant mortality rate and have devised a mechanism to eradicate epidemics. But even today, three-fourths of our children die due to preventive diseases like pneumonia and diarrhoea in developing countries like India. Although we have enough healthcare support, often it doesn't reach the poor and needy. In this scenario, technology is the best solution."Giving some examples of efficient use of technology in Punjab and Madhya Pradesh, he said, "A hospital in Shivpuri (MP) uses GPS-enabled ambulances and mobile technology to send follow-ups to families. This has saved 6,000 newborns in a state with the highest infant mortality rate in India. Similarly, six e-health units in Punjab since 2009 have carried out 31,000 telemedical consultation and 17,000 diagnostics so far. India needs more such efforts."Referring to an Assocham report, Murthy said healthcare accessibility will remain a distant dream for rural Indians till 2040. "The lack of financial strength to avail healthcare is a major challenge. According to the 60th National Sample Survey, 28% and 20% of all ailments in rural and urban areas go untreated due to financial constraints. It's 20% in Bangalore. Although facilities provided by private players are superior to public hospitals, the poor can't afford even that," he explained.Murthy also mentioned that innovations like 'Embrace babywrap' are needed. "In order to improve healthcare, we'll have to spend more on it, increase accountability and decentralize services, enforce standards and reinstate people's faith in it."Cardinal Cleemis, vice-president, Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, said, "When St John's Hospital and Medical College was established, it had a unique mission of reaching out to people without healthcare. It's a big challenge to bring about social justice through medicine."It's no surprise that Infosys founder Narayana Murthy is advocating technology solutions to deliver better healthcare, especially in rural areas. For, these are widely perceived as the way forward to ensure people have access to diagnosis and care, irrespective of their socio-economic status or location. It's now up to the government to act swiftly on his ideas. The nation's health is at stake.