Project SARATHI: Enhancing Patient Support in Public Hospitals
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Why in News
- The Union Health Minister chaired a high-level review meeting in New Delhi to evaluate a plan for expanding Project SARATHI to central government hospitals nationwide.
About Project SARATHI
- Project SARATHI stands for Students' Alliance for Responsible Action to Transform Healthcare Institutes, operating as a youth-led patient assistance program.
- Trained student volunteers guide patients through public hospitals, providing non-clinical help like mobility support to ease the pressure on medical staff.
- The platform connects directly with the MY Bharat portal to handle volunteer registration, attendance, training, and ABHA ID generation.
Aim of the Project
- The initiative aims to upgrade patient experiences in crowded public hospitals by offering non-medical help while encouraging youth involvement in social service.
Key Features
- Volunteers help visitors find hospital sections, operate wheelchairs or stretchers, complete OPD registrations, and locate testing laboratories.
- Strict operational guidelines prevent volunteers from taking up clinical, medical, or official administration duties.
- The project links with the MY Bharat platform under the Ministry of Youth Affairs to manage volunteer onboarding, track performance, and issue certificates.
- Volunteers assist patients with creating ABHA IDs and using health apps, which helps shorten long registration queues.
- By engaging local NSS units, nursing students, and youth, the initiative offers an affordable and scalable way to improve hospital ratings.
Significance
- Helping patients navigate hospital spaces shortens waiting times and reduces stress for doctor and nursing teams.
- Engaging young people in hospital volunteering builds leadership skills, empathy, and awareness of public health needs.