Introducing e-health services at CU

At the University of Chittagong, around 30,000 students are currently enrolled. Unfortunately, for a long time, students had to cope with a lack of an organised and comprehensive healthcare system. The university's sole medical center faces a shortage of experienced doctors, limited availability of medicines, and insufficient ambulance services, all of which hinder timely medical care during emergencies. Expanding the medical center's infrastructure in the short term is not feasible, as it would require substantial funding and long-term planning. In this context, introducing e-health services could provide an immediate and effective solution.

E-health services offer online medical consultations, allowing students to communicate virtually with experienced doctors and receive guidance on health concerns. Through video calls, voice calls, chat, and document-sharing features, students can have their symptoms assessed, obtain diagnoses, and receive instant medical advice. This service would be particularly valuable during nights or emergencies when the medical center is closed, ensuring students' safety and well-being.

A key advantage of this initiative is that specialists who cannot be physically present on campus would still be able to provide consultations online, reducing pressure on the existing healthcare system and making specialist care more accessible. E-health services would enhance students' health awareness, improve emergency response, and make medical record management, follow-up consultations, and prescription handling more efficient.

In conclusion, launching e-health services at the University of Chittagong would be a timely, student-friendly initiative. It would ensure accessible and quality healthcare while modernising the campus healthcare system through technology.

Nusrat Sultana

Student, University of Chittagong