Prof. S P Singh Baghel and Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare, launched the Kilkari programme, a Mobile Health (m-health) initiative, along with the Mobile Academy, aimed at improving health communication and knowledge among beneficiaries, particularly in Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Launch of Kilkari Programme
- Objective:
- Provide weekly audio messages about reproductive, maternal, neonatal, and child health care.
- Deliver timely, accessible, accurate, and pertinent information to targeted beneficiaries.
- Features:
- Utilizes Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS).
- Delivers 72 audio messages directly to families’ mobile phones.
- Content includes pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare guidance.
- Operated centrally by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
- Integrated with the Reproductive Child Health (RCH) portal.
- Free of cost for states/UTs and beneficiaries.
- Benefits:
- Supports the vision of Digital Health India.
- Strengthens citizen-centric health services.
- Aligns with the government’s commitment to public health infrastructure.
Launch of Mobile Academy
- Objective:
- Expand and refresh the knowledge of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).
- Improve their communication skills through a free audio training course.
- Features:
- Cost-effective and efficient training method.
- Anytime, anywhere access via mobile phones.
- Simultaneous training of thousands of ASHAs.
Statements by Union Ministers
- Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar:
- Associated the initiative with the rapid transformation of the health sector.
- Linked it to the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Digital Health India.
- Appreciated frontline health workers for their contributions to the Kilkari Programme.
- Prof. S P Singh Baghel:
- Emphasized government’s commitment to prioritize public health infrastructure.
- Highlighted the importance of maternal health for child well-being.
Acknowledgments and Implementation Status
- Acknowledgments:
- Appreciation for stakeholders involved.
- Invitation for suggestions to strengthen the programme.
- Implementation Status:
- Kilkari operational in 18 States / UTs.
- Mobile Academy operational in 17 States/UTs, except Chandigarh.
- Available in multiple languages for wider accessibility.
Conclusion
The launch of Kilkari Programme and Mobile Academy marks a significant step towards improving healthcare communication and knowledge dissemination, particularly among beneficiaries in Gujarat and Maharashtra, in alignment with the government’s vision for Digital Health India.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the main objective of the Kilkari programme?
- A) To provide weekly audio messages about reproductive health only.
- B) To deliver timely, accurate, and accessible information about various health aspects.
- C) To offer monthly audio messages about child care.
- D) To conduct face-to-face training sessions for health workers.
- Who launched the Mobile Academy?
- A) Prof. S P Singh Baghel
- B) Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar
- C) Shri Rushikesh Patel
- D) Senior officials of the Union Health Ministry
- What does the Mobile Academy aim to improve?
- A) Mobile phone technology
- B) Communication skills of ASHAs
- C) Reproductive Child Health portal
- D) Health infrastructure
- Where is the Kilkari programme operational?
- A) Gujarat and Maharashtra
- B) All Indian states
- C) 18 States / UTs
- D) Only in rural areas
- What is the key feature of the Kilkari programme?
- A) It requires payment for access.
- B) It operates independently of the Reproductive Child Health portal.
- C) It offers daily audio messages.
- D) It is free of cost for states/UTs and beneficiaries.