Four Mobile Health (mHealth) Services launched
Q. Which of the following is/are newly launched mHealth Service/s?
1) M- Cessation
2) TB Missed Call Initiative
3) Mobile - Published on 18 Jan 16a. Only 1 and 2
b. Only 1
c. Only 1 and 3
d. 1, 2 and 3
ANSWER: Only 1 and 2
Four mobile health (mHealth) services – Kilkari, Mobile Academy, M-Cessation and TB Missed Call initiative are a part of the Government’s Digital India programme in line with the government’s commitment to prioritize public health and strengthen citizen-centric health services by leveraging India’s expanding mobile phone penetration. 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. Mobile Academy is a free audio training course to refresh the knowledge base of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). Together, these services aim to improve family health – including family planning, reproductive, maternal and child health, nutrition, sanitation and hygiene – by generating demand for healthy practices by empowerment and capacity building at the individual and community level, and by creating an enabling environment.
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.
Under TB Missed Call initiative, a helpline with a toll free number will provide information, counseling 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.
