Hubli :
If you have health problems and need immediate remedy, just dial 104 and you will get health tips over phone on how to overcome your problem. If need be, you will be counselled and an ambulance will be sent to your doorstep.
The state government introduced Arogyavani — the ‘104’ Health Information Help Line (HIHL) Services — and the service was launched by minister for health and family welfare UT Khader on Wednesday.
The service has a system wherein any person can receive basic medical information, advice, counseling without visiting a doctor, pharmacist or a health centre. The centre will deliver service in four phases. To maintain the standard, every call will be recorded and service quality will be monitored regularly.
In addition, it provides information on healthcare service delivery, healthcare facility, health guidance, advice, grievance redress on matters related to healthcare, counseling support and linkages with emergency support.
A few days back, the call centre kicked off on a trial basis at the IT park here. Now the centre is ready with well-equipped facilities and manpower. At the initial stage, 100 calls will be taken up at once and later the lines will be increased to 300, said sources.
People from any part of the district or village can make a call to this service. It is the first of its kind service in the state. Hyderabad-based NGO Health Management and Research Institute (HMRI) set up the infrastructure.
The main objective is to assist people living in rural areas, who face difficulty in accessing the service of qualified doctors and to provide information on any health problem round-the-clock all 365 days in a year. The helpline will ensure that people get basic information of a medical facility and health condition through a process which is easy and accessible.
HOW IT WORKS
Step 1: When a call comes in, registration staff note down information of the caller, will register call and transfer it to the health advice officer (HAO) after giving registration number.
Step 2: HAOs will interact with callers to know their health problems in detail and then, they will give tips. In case caller wants counselling for diabetes, stress , mental illness, then call will be transferred to the counsellors.
Step 3: Counsellors will interact with caller for any amount of time and if need be, the call will be transferred to the medical officer and medical officer will discuss the problem with the caller and give advice for immediate remedy.
Step 4: If caller wants a prescription, it will be sent through SMS to his mobile. In case of emergency, they will also inform 108 ambulance services to help the caller immediately.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hubli / TNN / June 20th, 2013