Samit Sharma, secretary public health engineering and groundwater department, received National e-Governance (Gold) Award 2024 for innovative use of Tele-Radiology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the identification of Silicosis disease and for providing relief to the affected persons through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) self-approval portal. This award was presented at the 27th National e-Governance Conference held in Mumbai.
Another officer from Rajasthan, Inderjeet Singh, commissioner and special secretary DoIT also received Silver Award for Rajkishan Saathi Phase -II project at the conference.
Samit Sharma, 2004 batch IAS officer, is a paediatrician by education and understands the world of medicine and health as much as any medical expert knows. He had earlier received the state IT award for development of e- aushadhi software and Prime Minister's excellence award for low cost generic medicines scheme.
Revolution in Silicosis Diagnosis and Relief
Under the leadership of Samit Sharma, the Rajasthan has set national standards in solving complex public health challenges using new technologies.
It has developed an innovative IT solution for the diagnosis and relie of Silicosis disease, which uses digital X-rays, Tele-Radiology, and AI algorithms to make the diagnosis of Silicosis easier and faster. The department has trained an AI model on a comprehensive dataset of over 29,000 labeled chest X-rays, which can automatically detect Silicosis in X-rays.
This technology has enabled the rapid and accurate identification of Silicosis patients, who can now receive financial assistance directly into their bank accounts through the DBT self-approval portal, eliminating the need for multiple administrative processes.
Guarantee of Timely Relief and Dignity
Silicosis patients can now receive financial assistance directly into their bank accounts through the DBT self-approval portal, which has simplified and streamlined the process. This has ensured that citizens receive timely and dignified public services.
Presentation at National Conference
During the conference, Sharma made a presentation on the diagnosis of Silicosis using Tele-Radiology and AI using digital chest X-rays. He stated that this award is a testament to the State Government's commitment to the principles of fairness, equality, and justice in public administration, with a focus on citizen welfare. It also highlights Rajasthan's significant role in the Digital India program, which empowers citizens, increases transparency, and provides high-quality public services in a timely manner.
National e-Governance Awards
The National e-Governance Awards are presented annually by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Government of India, to recognise and encourage excellence in the implementation of e-Governance innovations. These awards are presented during the National e-Governance Conference. All central ministries, departments, state governments, union territories, districts, local bodies, central and state government public sector enterprises, academic and research institutions (government and non-government) are eligible to apply for these awards.
Prakash Bhandari is a veteran journalist with over 50 years of experience. He has worked with The Times of India for 30 years and contributed to leading publications as well as international news agency AFP.
