The Department of Health Services (DoHS) in Meghalaya officially launched the Geo Web Portal for Health Centres on 20th December 2023. Dr. HC Lyndem, DHS (MI), inaugurated the portal at the DHS headquarters, emphasizing its role in accessibility and gap analysis for identifying vulnerable populations in remote areas. The application was developed by North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) in collaboration with DHS (MI), the Health Geo Web Portal and employs satellite imagery and a mobile application to geo-tag all health resources in the state. This initiative is pivotal for assessing existing health facilities, taking into account factors such as road connectivity, population density, and topography.
During the launch, senior scientist PS Singh from NESAC provided a detailed technical presentation, underscoring the necessity of space-based solutions. Dr. Dibyajyoti Chutia, Head of the Geo-Informatics division at NESAC, overseeing the project, highlighted governance solutions implemented in various departments in the North Eastern region. The event, attended by DHS staff and senior scientists from NESAC in Umiam, aims to optimize the placement of health resources and plan new infrastructure for maximum statewide coverage.
The comprehensive mapping of existing health facilities is a crucial aspect of effective healthcare planning. The Meghalaya Geospatial Health Resource Information System integrates these insights into a Unified Geo-Health Information System, combining map intelligence, applications, health data, and people for holistic decision-making.
