Odisha Minister launches 104 Health Helpline in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Oct 13: After the 102 and 108 services, Odisha, today launched 104 Health Helpline in partnership with Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd, a professional ambulance service provider. The launch took place at the 104 Call Centre operated by Ziqitza Health Care ltd here today.

The helpine would track all expectant mothers and new born infant through Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS). Odisha reaffirms its commitment for safe motherhood and health of new born with the launch of 104 Health Helpline.

Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak alongwith Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Arti Ahuja, Mission Director –National Health Mission Roopa Mishra, graced this occasion with their presence.

MCTS is an IT enabled application that will facilitate access to maternal and child health services by all pregnant women and children. MCTS is designed to track pregnant women from caption upto 42 days post-partum along with the new born infants five years of age.

The helpline by Ziqitza will ensure that all pregnant women and children receive full set of medical information thereby possibly reducing maternal, infant and child sickness and mortality. Special calls will also be made to High Risk Pregnant Women on a monthly basis.

Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Minister said that “The broad objective of the MCTS is to reduce Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), to provide information in order to improve the nutritional level of the child and to ensure completion of immunization in children by tracking proper growth of a child. The MCTS is therefore an important intervention towards realization of the goals and objectives of the National Population Policy and National Health Policy.”

It is envisioned that the Mother and Child Tracking System through outbound calls from 104 will contribute towards enhancing the effective of the public health care delivery system, mentioned Arti Ahuja.

Roopa Mishra, Mission Director – NHM, mentioned that “104 Call Centre is expected to bridge the information gap between the various medical service providers and the ultimate beneficiaries of these services.”

Naresh Jain, Managing Director, Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd explained the mechanism, “ Ziqitza will make outbound calls and register all pregnant women and births. An ID number will be registered and constant monitoring will ensure effective medical information is dispensed to the beneficiaries. We are glad to be one of the service providers to deliver services to women and children according to their specific needs.”