Mr Ulurappa is a 72-year-old resident of Kurubarahalli in Hoskote, about 30 kilometres from Bengaluru. He was diagnosed with Type II diabetes a decade ago, and struggled to make regular visits to his physician in the city due to the burdens of age, distance and expense. Unmanaged, his diabetes began to affect not just his blood glucose but the functioning of several organs.
In August 2019, Mr Ulurappa visited the new eAarogyaKendra centre in his village and learnt about telemedicine. He was astonished and excited to find out that he could now be examined and treated by a specialist without having to leave his village.
Dr Sadiq of RxDx first saw Mr Ulurappa that same month, and advised tests, medication and dietary changes. The tests were conducted for free, and Mr Ulurappa continued under Dr Sadiq’s care, consulting the doctor ten times without ever having met him in person. Mr Ulurappa’s diabetes was soon under control. In 2021, nearly two years after their first e-meeting, Dr Sadiq visited the Kurubarahalli centre and met his patient for the first time. Mr Ulurappa was overjoyed to meet the man responsible for his victory over diabetes and the two embraced.
“I am very thankful to [Dr Sadiq] for bringing my sugar level from 300+ to 80 only through teleconsultation,” said Mr Ulurappa. His confidence has been boosted by Dr Sadiq’s care, and he now encourages family, friends and other diabetes patients in his village to visit the eAarogyaKendra centre and win their good health back through the wonder of telemedicine.