Bengaluru: The State Department of Health and Family Welfare has signed an memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Biocon Foundation to launch ‘smart clinics’ in 15 Primary Health Centres in six districts of Karnataka. The first was inaugurated on Tuesday at the PHC on Kengeri Road, Mallathahalli.

Under the smart clinic system, when a patient enters the PHC for the first time, his vital statistics, including height weight and blood pressure, are recorded and stored digitally, said Prabhjot Singh, VP (Engineering and Operations) of PacketBio Pvt Ltd, which has tied up with Biocon Foundation to provide the technology.

A bio chemistry analyser and cell counter have been installed in the premises. They can conduct 25 laboratory tests.

Health Minister Ramesh Kumar said the smart clinic is a step towards making healthcare accessible to all. “The goal is that there should be an ambulance within a radius of 10 km throughout the State,” he said.