Government launches four new Mobile Health Services - Factly
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
January 16, 2016
In a bid to enhance access to public health infrastructure in a cost effective manner, the government has launched four mobile health services aimed at educating pregnant mothers, ASHA workers, helping tobacco users quit tobacco and helping users with information on TB.
To strengthen the public health infrastructure and enhance access in a cost effective manner, the government has launched four new mobile health services.
These initiatives are part of the Government’s Digital India program, aimed at leveraging India’s expanding mobile phone penetration.
Kilkari
Kilkari, which means ‘a baby’s gurgle’, delivers free, weekly, time-appropriate 72 audio messages about pregnancy, child birth and child care directly to families’ mobile phones from the second trimester of pregnancy until the child is one year old. Kilkari is being launched in Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and High Priority Districts (HPDs) of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in the first phase. Below are some sample audio messages from Kilkari.
Mobile Academy
Mobile Academy is a free audio training course designed to expand and refresh the knowledge base of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and improve their communication skills. Mobile Academy offers ASHAs a training opportunity via their mobile phones and provides them the flexibility they need to learn at their own pace and at times they find convenient. Mobile Academy is being launched in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.
M-Cessation
M-Cessation aims at reaching out to those willing to quit tobacco use and support them towards successful quitting through text messages sent via mobile phones. When offered along with traditional services, M-Cessation has been found to be cost-effective in comparison to traditional options for cessation support. This is first time in the world that such a two way service is being provided as part of any mHealth initiative.
Users can register by giving a missed call on 011-22901701 or by registering through the NHP portal.
TB Missed Call Initiative
Under TB Missed Call initiative, a helpline with a toll free number will provide information, counselling and treatment support services for TB. Under this campaign the callers can give a missed call or call for free to get information related to TB symptoms, treatment services available, address and contact details of the nearest treatment facility etc. Initially the service will be available to people in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi. Users can call the toll free helpline number 1800-11-6666.