India, Oct. 6 -- The country's National Telemedicine Service, eSanjeevani, has crossed 500 million teleconsultations, the Union ministry of health and family welfare announced on Tuesday.

The start of the National Telemedicine Service was the government's efforts to leverage digital technology and make quality healthcare more accessible, affordable, and equitable for citizens across the country.

The platform gained significance during the peak of Covid pandemic when physical movement was restricted. The platform, so far, has recorded a cumulative 50,00,92,730 teleconsultations across all 36 states and Union territories, government data show.

"The achievement reflects the growing role of telemedicine in complementing the country's exist...