The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare systemic inequities in global healthcare, challenging institutions to adapt swiftly to unprecedented demands. This talk chronicles the journey of CARE, a digital healthcare platform developed by the Open Healthcare Network (OHC Network)—a coalition of technologists, medical professionals, and volunteers committed to democratizing healthcare access. What began as an emergency response tool to manage ICU shortages and patient surges has since evolved into a multifaceted system recognized by the United Nations as a Digital Public Good, impacting millions across India and beyond.

The CARE Evolution:
1. Pandemic Pioneer: In COVID-19's peak, CARE became the operational backbone for overwhelmed hospitals, optimizing everything from ICU bed allocation to oxygen supply chains. Its rapid adoption by the Kerala state government proved its real-world value when lives hung in the balance.
2. Rural ICU Revolution: As the immediate crisis waned, OHC Network helped support the 10BedICU Project. Today, this initiative brings technology-driven ICU care to India's most remote regions through:
- TeleICU services connecting rural clinics with urban specialists
- Real-time patient monitoring systems
- AI-assisted clinical decision support
3. Palliative Care Grid: In Kerala, OHC Network collaborates with the National Health Mission (NHM) and NGOs to pilot a home-based palliative care model, using CARE to coordinate telehealth and community health workers. This addresses gaps in geriatric and chronic care, demonstrating the platform’s adaptability .

References

• OHC Network – Official website of the Open Health Care network.
• Kerala Care – Community health platform for Kerala.
• 10 Bed ICU – Decentralized intensive care infrastructure initiative.
• OHC Network GitHub Video – Overview of the OHC Network on YouTube.