Union Ministers Launch Mobile Health Service ‘Kilkari’ and Mobile Academy in Maharashtra and Gujarat

Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prof. S P Singh Baghel and Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, virtually launched the Kilkari programme and Mobile Academy, aimed at strengthening public health infrastructure in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Kilkari provides timely audio messages on reproductive maternal, neonatal, and child health, while Mobile Academy offers training for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) via mobile phones.

Kilkari Programme Overview

• Objective: To deliver 72 audio messages weekly via IVRS, focusing on reproductive maternal, neonatal, and child health care.
• Implementation: Utilizes the Reproductive Child Health (RCH) portal, targeting beneficiaries registered during pregnancy or after childbirth.
• Content: Pre-recorded messages voiced by a fictitious doctor character named Dr. Anita.
• Accessibility: Free service provided to pregnant women and mothers with children under one year old.
• Cost: Centrally hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), with no additional costs for States/UTs or beneficiaries.

Mobile Academy Initiative

• Purpose: To enhance the knowledge and communication skills of ASHAs through a free audio training course accessible via mobile phones.
• Efficiency: Cost-effective and efficient training method, allowing simultaneous training of thousands of ASHAs.
• Accessibility: Anytime, anywhere training, contributing to the continuous development of ASHAs.

Government’s Commitment

• Vision: Aligned with the government’s vision of Digital Health India, leveraging technology for the benefit of citizens.
• Acknowledgment: Applauding frontline health workers for their contributions to the Kilkari Programme and public health initiatives.
• Integration: Integration with the central RCH portal ensures uniformity and accessibility across all States/UTs.

Current Implementation

• States Covered: Currently operational in 18 States/UTs for Kilkari and 17 States/UTs for Mobile Academy.
• Languages: Available in Hindi, Bhojpuri, Oriya, Assamese, Bengali, and Telugu versions for wider accessibility.
• Expansion: Continuously expanding to reach more beneficiaries and improve public health infrastructure nationwide.