AIIMS Jhajjar Launches Digital Health Portal for Elderly Wellbeing in Rural India

The portal offers centralized access to various state and central welfare schemes for senior citizens, free digital health assessments for early detection of memory loss and depression, and educational resources on mental wellness, safety, and physical activity.

In a significant move aimed at enhancing the well-being of senior citizens, especially in rural areas, AIIMS Jhajjar has launched a dedicated digital portal ''Sahayam''.

The initiative is designed to provide accessible health resources, preventive care tools, and mental wellness support for the elderly.

The platform has been developed by the Society for Rural Mental Health (SRMH) in collaboration with the Health Department and the Department of Preventive Oncology at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Jhajjar.

The portal was formally unveiled during a Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme on “Comorbidity and Mental Health in Rural India,” hosted at AIIMS Jhajjar. The event brought together over 200 mental health professionals, public health experts, and caregivers, who deliberated on the evolving mental and physical health needs of India’s ageing population and the challenges unique to rural healthcare settings.

Speaking at the launch, Dr Rajiv Gupta, patron of SRMH, highlighted the collective effort behind the initiative and credited Aaravdeep Sindhu for his role in its development.

“Sahaym.in is an innovative step towards bridging the digital gap for our elderly population, providing them with accessible health information, mental wellness tools, and government welfare schemes at their fingertips,” Dr Gupta said.

The portal offers centralized access to various state and central welfare schemes for senior citizens, free digital health assessments via the Geriatric Health Questionnaire (GeHQ), a tool published in EC Neurology for early detection of memory loss and depression, and educational resources on mental wellness, safety, and physical activity. It has been designed with a simplified interface and large fonts to improve usability for elderly users.

Officials also confirmed that a mobile application version of Sahaym is currently under development. Planned features include emotional support services and digital wellness tracking to enhance its utility for the ageing population in rural India. (www.Sahaym.in)

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