Healthcare is slowly becoming more accessible in India, and Telangana has joined the list of states experimenting with new ways to reduce waiting times in hospitals. In a first-of-its-kind pilot project, the government has installed Health ATMs at two hospitals in Hyderabad—King Koti and Malakpet.
The idea is simple: instead of waiting in long queues at diagnostic labs, patients can use these self-operated machines to get instant health reports. For a state where thousands of people rely on government hospitals daily, this initiative could make a huge difference in how quickly patients get the care they need.
What is a Health ATM?
A Health ATM is not a cash machine but a self-service medical kiosk. It looks like a touchscreen booth where patients can walk up, register themselves, and undergo basic health check-ups and diagnostic tests.
The machine is equipped with devices and sensors that can perform over 130 medical tests, including 50 types of blood tests. The results are available within minutes, allowing patients to take the report directly to their doctors.
Think of it as a miniature diagnostic lab packed inside a kiosk—easy to use, quick, and reliable.
Design and Ease of Use
The Health ATM has been designed with patients in mind. It comes with a touchscreen interface that provides step-by-step instructions. The process is simple even for those who may not be familiar with technology.
For example:
- A patient can insert their finger into a sensor for a blood sugar test.
- A blood pressure cuff attached to the kiosk can measure BP levels in seconds.
- ECG pads can check heart function instantly.
The kiosk is also compact and doesn’t take up much space, which makes it ideal for crowded hospitals. Importantly, once a patient registers for the first time, their data is stored securely. On their next visit, they don’t need to start from scratch.
The ATMs are connected to larger health platforms such as the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) and Telangana’s E-Sanjeevni telemedicine service, ensuring that test results are part of a patient’s digital health record.
Features and Functions
The most impressive aspect of these Health ATMs is the range of tests they can perform. These include:
- Basic health checks: Blood pressure, blood sugar, haemoglobin, BMI, temperature, and oxygen saturation.
- Cardiac and pulmonary tests: ECG, lung function monitoring.
- Blood tests: Lipid profile, kidney function, liver function, thyroid profile, and more.
- ENT checks: Simple ear, nose, and throat assessments.
Together, these features cover both primary healthcare needs and more advanced diagnostics, all within a short time.
The “Engine” of the Health ATM
If we think of the Health ATM like a vehicle, its “engine” is the technology inside. Developed by Delhi-based Cloud Spital, the machine combines automated diagnostic devices with smart software.
The “engine” is powered by:
- Automated sensors that capture health data quickly.
- Artificial intelligence (AI)-based analysis to ensure accuracy.
- Integration with mobile apps and government platforms so reports can be accessed digitally.
This combination is what allows the machine to perform so many different tests in one place.
Mileage: How Efficient Are They?
In healthcare terms, “mileage” can be seen as efficiency—how many patients can benefit from the machine in a given time.
Each Health ATM can provide a report within minutes, but from registration to completion, the process takes about 45 minutes to an hour. This is still far quicker than waiting for lab results, which may take several hours or days.
However, doctors supervising the project point out that in busy hospitals, one machine may not be enough. To handle a large crowd, multiple Health ATMs would be required.
That said, in Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and smaller clinics, where patient traffic is lower, the “mileage” of these machines will likely be much higher. One kiosk could handle the needs of an entire community effectively.
Accuracy and Reliability
A common question patients ask is, “Can I trust the results?” The government has taken steps to ensure accuracy by comparing Health ATM test results with those from the Telangana Diagnostics Centre (TDS) at the Institute of Preventive Medicine.
So far, the reports have shown 100% accuracy, which is a strong vote of confidence. Officials are continuing to send random samples daily for cross-checking, and if the accuracy rate holds, it will build long-term trust in the system.
Price and Affordability
The government has not announced the price of each unit, but being a public initiative, the aim is to keep it affordable for patients. Tests at these kiosks are either free or low-cost, depending on the hospital’s setup.
For the government, the investment is justified because the machines can help reduce the burden on hospital labs, cut waiting times, and improve patient satisfaction. In the long run, this could also save costs by reducing the strain on conventional diagnostic centres.
Round-the-Clock Availability
One of the biggest advantages of Health ATMs is that they can be used anytime, even during emergencies. Traditional labs often close in the afternoon or evening, and samples cannot be sent after certain hours. The Health ATM, on the other hand, is available 24/7.
This is especially valuable in emergencies when immediate diagnostic information is needed to start treatment quickly.
Doctors’ Perspective
Doctors supervising the pilot have welcomed the initiative but are also realistic about its limitations.
Dr. A. Bheemavathi, a pathologist overseeing the project, explained that while the results so far have been encouraging, high-volume hospitals would need multiple machines to handle patient loads efficiently. She added that Health ATMs may be more useful in PHCs, where they can serve communities without overwhelming the system.
Her point highlights that while technology is useful, it needs the right environment to deliver maximum benefit.
Looking Ahead: Expansion Plans
If the pilot is successful, the Telangana government plans to roll out Health ATMs to more government hospitals, PHCs, and urban health centres.
This expansion would especially help rural and semi-urban areas, where access to diagnostic facilities is often limited. For people in these regions, getting tests done without traveling to bigger cities could be life-changing.
Final Thoughts
The Health ATM initiative in Telangana is a step toward modern, patient-friendly healthcare. By offering quick, accurate, and affordable diagnostics, these machines can save time, reduce pressure on labs, and make healthcare more accessible to everyone.
Like any new project, there are challenges—particularly in handling high patient volumes—but the early signs are positive. If the government can scale this effectively, Telangana could set an example for other states to follow.
For patients, the biggest takeaway is simple: diagnostics just got faster, easier, and closer to home.
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