Once synonymous with Maoist insurgency, the Bastar division is steadily rewriting its narrative, emerging as a model for digital healthcare transformation in Chhattisgarh.
The effective rollout of the Next Gen e-Hospital initiative, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), and Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has brought technology-driven healthcare to the heart of this once-conflict-ridden region. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and guidance of Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, hospitals across the division are now delivering faster, more transparent and patient-friendly services.
The Next Gen e-Hospital system is operational in six district hospitals, two civil hospitals, and 41 community health centres in Bastar. This platform integrates OPD registration, consultations, diagnostics, pharmacy distribution, and patient records on a single digital interface. The result – improved efficiency, reduced waiting times, and higher patient satisfaction.
Under ABDM, both Health Facility Registration (HFR) for hospitals and Health Professional Registration (HPR) for doctors and nursing staff have been completed. Dedicated ABHA kiosks in hospital premises allow patients to create their Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA). The “Scan & Share” feature and ABHA-linked OPD registration have eliminated long queues, enabling patients to access timely services.
The progress is evident in numbers, in May-July 2025, Bastar District Hospital recorded 60,045 OPD registrations, of which 32,379 (53%) were ABHA-linked. Dantewada District Hospital registered 33,895 OPDs, with 13,729 (40%) linked to ABHA.
“This initiative has given new pace and direction to healthcare in Bastar,” CM Vishnu Deo Sai said. “Digital registration, health records, and transparent service delivery ensure timely, accessible, and quality treatment. This model will soon be implemented statewide to realise the vision of a ‘Healthy and Empowered Chhattisgarh’.”
Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal added that Bastar’s success proves the potential of technology-led reforms. “This system is not only benefiting patients locally but is also shaping the future of healthcare delivery in Chhattisgarh,” he noted.
Beyond digitisation, the initiative is connecting rural and remote communities to quality medical care, transforming a region once defined by conflict into a beacon of healthcare innovation. Bastar’s experience shows that when technology, governance, and community participation work in synergy, development can be both rapid and inclusive.