Access to timely, affordable and quality healthcare remains a critical challenge for older persons, particularly in rural India, where limited availability of services, long travel distances and high out-of-pocket expenses create significant barriers to care. An estimated 31% of the rural population travels 20-30 kilometres to access healthcare services—an especially difficult journey for older persons living with mobility limitations and chronic health conditions.

To address this gap, HelpAge India’s Telehealth Project has emerged as a high-impact, scalable intervention that brings essential healthcare services directly to the doorsteps of older persons and their communities. Currently operational across 13 states and 26 districts, the project reaches 627 villages, significantly reducing geographical and financial barriers to accessing healthcare.

The intervention is implemented through a hub-and-spoke model comprising 12 urban-based hubs connected to 27 spoke locations in remote and underserved areas. Each hub is led by a qualified medical doctor who provides teleconsultations, while trained pharmacists and health workers stationed at the spoke locations ensure seamless last-mile service delivery. Each spoke serves approximately 20-24 villages, enabling regular outreach to vulnerable older persons and their communities