Health Ministry Expanding mHealth and eHealth

The Health Ministry is making efforts to expand mHealth (mobile Health) and eHealth (electronic Health), reports The Kathmandu Post.

In its first phase, a mobile application and SMS service are being piloted in Baglung and Ilam districts to track the pregnant mothers for regular antenatal visits.

The Ministry recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Medic Mobile to improve the programme in various districts. Medic Mobile is an international company being operated in 23 countries across the globe.

This MOU will work on the mHealth technologies to promote access to health services, especially for the hard-to-reach communities. Medic will also provide technical support and advice to the ministry.

This programme will be implemented in 59 VDCs in Baglung and 24 VDCs in Ilam along with VDCs in Gorkha and Dhading.

Dr. Naresh Pratap KC, director of the Family Health Division under the Department of Health Services said, “The mobile application and SMS service are used in the districts to remind the FCHVs have been effective to increase the antenatal visits.”

In Baglung, SMS is being used to remind the Female Community Health Volunteers of the expecting mothers in their respective areas and their time of health facility visits. The details of pregnant mothers are then entered into an application and messages are forwarded periodically to the FCHVs, serving as a reminder. If complications are detected, routine SMS messages are again sent to the FCHVs who would then advise expectant mothers to seek medical attention.