eGovWatch: J P Nadda launches e-health initiatives; apps for blood, tracking, and dengue

With the web-based ‘E-Rakt Kosh’ app, people will have access to information on availability status of a particular blood group in blood banks in an area. The ANM Online app, a web and name-based tracking system called Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS); and The ‘India Fights Dengue’ application will engage community members to fight against dengue and vector borne diseases.

Asserting that modern technology must be leveraged for promoting good health, Union Health Minister J P Nadda has launched a series of e-health initiatives. The Minister also released WHO Global Report on Diabetes, a Technical Report for India and ICMR India Diabetes Study Phase-I.

‘E-Rakt Kosh’ app

With the web-based ‘E-Rakt Kosh’ app, people will have access to information on availability status of a particular blood group in blood banks in an area. “The challenge is real-time updation of correct information by licensed blood banks and ensuring the availability of blood,” Nadda said, addressing an event on the occasion of World Health Day.

ANM Online app

The ANM Online app, a web and name-based tracking system called Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS) which will facilitate timely delivery of antenatal and postnatal care services to all pregnant women and immunization to all the children.The MCTS system will also provide alerts to health service providers about services due list and service delivery gaps. It will also provide ready reference about the status of services and vaccination delivered to pregnant women and children.

“Health Ministry and WHO are working together to develop a mobile health platform for diabetes also. This facility will enable regular messages and advice for key questions relating to diabetes for all registered users,” Nadda said.

‘India Fights Dengue’ application

The ‘India Fights Dengue’ application will engage community members to fight against dengue and vector borne diseases. “Community members want to help but may not know what to do. This application will tell them how to contribute. The fight against Vector Borne Diseases, especially Dengue, can be won only with effective community participation,” he said. Stating that modern technology must be leveraged for promoting good health, Nadda also called for widening the user base of these applications by giving updated information.

Nadda also released guidelines for dialysis centres to be set up under PPP mode, saying that soon every district in the country will have the facility. These expanded facilities will help the renal disorder patients and reduce the out-of-pocket expenditure incurred on dialysis, he said. Nadda said a multi-sectoral approach is required to deal with diabetes as its causes are not majorly related to just the health sector.

“Diseases and health problems largely emanate not due to health sector issues but due to consequences of actions taken in other sectors. It is vital, therefore, to increase awareness and bring all stakeholders together for coordinated action,” he said.

The Minister also stressed on the promotion of holistic approach to health through traditional systems of medicines like Homeopathy, Ayurveda and Yoga. “Lifestyle diseases, in particular, can be prevented by Yoga and discipline. Ayurveda has many solutions for chronic ailments. These systems have their own strengths,” he said.