Meghalaya Digital Dispensary (MDD): Transforming Rural Healthcare Access

Smart Village Movement, June 6, 2025

As part of its ongoing mission to strengthen last-mile healthcare delivery, the Government of Meghalaya, in collaboration with the Smart Village Movement and Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd., continues to operate Digital Dispensaries across five rural locations—Rongjeng, Tura, Tyrsad, Mawdngung, and Dadenggre—spanning the Khasi and Garo Hills regions.

These digital health centres reduce the need for long-distance travel and enable rural communities to access timely, quality medical care. Through teleconsultations with doctors and health camps, the program has significantly improved health outcomes, especially for young adults.

Impact Snapshot

  • Total Lives Touched: 55,335
  • Teleconsultations Delivered: 22,188
  • Average Consultations/Day: 36
  • Top User Group: Age 20–29
  • Most Accessed Specialties: General Medicine & Dermatology
  • Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Screenings:

    • Camps Conducted: 1,541
    • People Screened: 17,126
  • Social Health Education Sessions:

    • Camps: 975
    • Beneficiaries: 13,739
    • Key Topics: Hypertension, Anaemia, Diabetes, Nutrition, Menstrual Hygiene, Cancer Awareness, Handwashing
  • School Health Camps:

    • Sessions Held: 76

Students Screened: 4,356

Patient Story: One Centre, Multiple Solutions

A 14-year-old girl visited the Mawdngung Digital Dispensary with her mother, initially consulting a general physician via telemedicine. She was diagnosed with anxiety disorder, menorrhagia, and a follicular cyst. Medication and routine blood tests were advised. In her follow-up, she was referred to a gynecologist who adjusted her treatment. Within a week, her condition improved, and both she and her family expressed heartfelt gratitude for the compassionate care and convenience offered by the centre.

Conclusion

The Meghalaya Digital Dispensary initiative stands as a powerful example of how technology and partnerships can bridge critical gaps in rural healthcare access. By bringing essential services closer to underserved communities, the program has not only saved time and cost for patients but has also contributed to early diagnoses and improved health outcomes, especially among young adults and school children.

This achievement is made possible through the collaborative efforts of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd., a pioneer in telemedicine and digital healthcare, and the Smart Village Movement, which works to drive scalable and sustainable development solutions in rural India. Together, they have demonstrated that with innovation, empathy, and strategic collaboration, rural healthcare can be made both accessible and impactful. As the program continues to grow, it holds the promise of shaping a more inclusive and resilient healthcare ecosystem for Meghalaya and beyond.