PRAYAGRAJ, Nov. 20 -- The Prayagraj division has emerged as a frontrunner in Uttar Pradesh's push to expand telemedicine services, bringing modern healthcare to even the remotest villages, latest data shows. Under the e-Sanjeevani initiative, launched by the state government in collaboration with the Central government, residents of Prayagraj and surrounding districts can now access consultations from doctors without traveling to crowded city hospitals. According to Harit Saxena, divisional project manager of the National Health Mission (NHM) in Prayagraj, 56,423 patients in the division received telemedicine consultations in October 2025 alone. Prayagraj district accounted for the largest share with 24,887 consultations, followed by Kaushambi (10,899), Pratapgarh (10,660) and Fatehpur (9,977), he shared. Saxena said that the service is especially beneficial for rural populations, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities who face difficulty reaching urban hospitals. Patients can access the service via the e-Sanjeevani app on a smartphone, where they can register, book a time slot, and connect directly with doctors through an audio-video consultation. Doctors assess symptoms, review medical history, and prescribe medications, which are also shared via e-message, he explained. A total of 1,113 telemedicine centres have been established across the Prayagraj division, with 521 in Prayagraj, 228 in Fatehpur, 228 in Pratapgarh, and 136 in Kaushambi. The centres are supported by 1,005 active Community Health Officers (CHOs) who ensure smooth delivery of services, said Saxena. Government hospitals in all districts are now providing telemedicine facilities daily, with district authorities instructed to prepare rosters based on doctor availability. This system has not only reduced patient travel and treatment costs but also helped ease congestion in city hospitals, making healthcare more accessible and efficient....