CSIR fixes healthcare supply chain issues with launch of AarogyaPath

COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unfortunate impact on several supply chain logistics. And at this point of time, the healthcare supply chain cannot afford to be affected, especially when life-saving drugs, equipment, and PPEs must reach a patient on time.

A CSIR National Healthcare Supply Chain Portal that aims to provide real-time availability of critical healthcare supplies https://www.aarogyapath.in has been launched on June 12, 2020.

AarogyaPath has been launched to serve manufacturers, suppliers, and customers. According to CSIR, this information platform named AarogyaPath with a vision of “providing a path which leads one on a journey towards Aarogya (healthy life)”  was developed to address these challenges.

CSIR expects AarogyaPath to become the national healthcare information platform of choice in the years to come, filling a critical gap in last-mile delivery of patient care within India through improved availability and affordability of healthcare supplies.

It was launched by Rajesh Bhushan, Officer on Special Duty, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in presence of DG CSIR, Dr Shekhar C. Mande.

Sudhir Garg, Joint Secretary, Ministry of MSME, and Dr Vijay Chauthiawale Pharma Sector Expert were guests of honor at this event. Dr Shekhar Mande complemented the CSIR team involved in the development of the portal, which was led by Dr Anjan Ray, Director CSIR-IIP.

The portal was developed in partnership with Sarvodaya Infotech and institutional users and manufacturers / authorized suppliers of healthcare essentials are encouraged to register and participate actively.

This integrated public platform that provides single-point availability of key healthcare goods can be helpful to customers in tackling a number of routinely experienced issues. These issues include dependence on limited suppliers, time-consuming processes to identify good quality products, limited access to suppliers who can supply standardized products at reasonable prices within desired timelines, lack of awareness about the latest product launches, etc.

It also helps manufacturers and suppliers to reach a wide network of customers efficiently, overcoming gaps in connectivity between them and potential demand centers like nearby pathological laboratories, medical stores, hospitals, etc. It will also create opportunities for business expansion due to an expanded slate of buyers and visibility of new requirements for products.

Over time, analytics from this platform is expected to generate early signals to manufacturers on overcapacity as well as on looming shortages. This would help to reduce wastage of resources due to inefficient forecasting and excess manufacturing, generate awareness about the demand for new technologies.