New Delhi: The Delhi Government’s Health and Family Welfare Department (GNCTD) has introduced Tele-Medicine services for 13 medical specialties via the e-Sanjeevani portal, according to an official statement.This initiative is designed to enhance healthcare accessibility, allowing patients to consult with doctors and specialists through video calls on smartphones or computers. According to the PTI report, Tele-Medicine services launched by the GNCTD aim to deliver affordable and accessible healthcare services to patients from the comfort of their homes, thereby easing the burden on hospitals’ physical outpatient departments (OPDs), according to the official statement.Also Read:Aarogya Doctors on Wheels: J&K gets AI-supported Telemedicine Mobile ClinicThe service is provided free of cost under the e-Sanjeevani Telemedicine Portal, covering specialities such as General Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBG), Pediatrics, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Psychiatry, ENT, Dentistry, Dermatology, Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, and Unani, the statement read.A total of 75 doctors and 67 link officers from these 13 specialities have been onboarded to offer their expertise, it said. The Tele-Medicine services are available from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 2 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm.  Additionally, the department plans to launch an extensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign soon to promote greater awareness and ensure easy access to Tele-Medicine services for all age groups and economic classes, it added, news agency PTI reported.  Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj reported a shortage of nearly 30 per cent of doctors and specialists in many hospitals. He criticized the lack of efforts to address these critical vacancies, despite numerous requests to the Lieutenant Governor. He noted that the LG’s office has cited excuses such as the Chief Minister’s unavailability and the lack of an NCCSA meeting to delay appointments for these critical positions.  Also Read:Technology advancements are revolutionising healthcare, can be integrated with Traditional medicine: MoS AYUSH