Prayagraj: A smart digital clinic offering video-based medical consultations at just Rs 10 per minute was launched in Kaudihar block of Prayagraj, marking a significant step towards affordable, transparent and technology-driven healthcare in rural Uttar Pradesh.The facility was set up under Ambience Telehealth, a startup incubated at the Incubation Centre of Allahabad University. It allows patients to consult qualified doctors through video interaction, eliminating the need for long travel, crowded hospital visits and wage loss. Founded by Dr Varun Tripathi, MD (physician), the initiative aims to build a comprehensive digital healthcare ecosystem that bridges the gap between urban specialists and rural patients. Inaugurated on Feb 9, the facility is the first smart digital clinic in Prayagraj and operates on a PCO-inspired payment model. The services are available daily from 7 am to 11 pm, ensuring 16 hours of accessibility for working individuals, elderly patients and those requiring frequent follow-ups. The clinic provides digital access to a wide range of specialists, including physicians, surgeons, paediatricians, obstetricians and gynaecologists, and ophthalmologists. In addition to consultations, the centre offers physiotherapy, X-ray, ECG and pathology services. The system runs on AAROGYA-X DosEve, a Made-in-India digital healthcare platform inspired by advanced American and European healthcare technologies. Dr Tripathi credited AU vice chancellor Prof Sangita Srivastava for promoting entrepreneurship and supporting people-centric healthcare innovation. Shefali Nandan, coordinator of the incubation centre, said: “The incubation centre provided all the needed infrastructural support, co-working space, networking opportunities, investor connect, marketing platform, visibility and mentoring, etc, to this new startup.” During its incubation phase in 2024, the startup underwent structured academic and skill-based mentoring. Yoga sessions and personality development workshops were also conducted . The impact is already visible at the grassroots level. Rakesh Kesarwani, a resident of Malak Balau village near Kaudihar who suffers from bronchial asthma, now consults doctors without disrupting his daily work.
