In a leap forward towards providing quality Healthcare services to the people just on a single call, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today launched the “104 Non-emergency Health Information Helpline” by personally calling on the number and enquiring about the services provided by the helpline.Launching the helpline here at his office this morning, the Chief Minister expressed hope that it would act would act as a helpdesk for the people to avail the ultra modern Healthcare and diagnostic facilities across the state. He said that the primary objective of starting this helpline was to assist people, particularly living in rural and interior areas, in getting information on health problems and access to a qualified Doctor. Mr. Badal said that medical advice would be given to the caller by providing basic tips and first aid requirements through this helpline.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister sprang a surprise for the paramedical personnel operating at the Helpline by calling him as an unidentified person from the state. After knowing the details about the functioning of this helpline Mr. Badal told the operator about his credentials and congratulated him for the successful launch of this helpline. Expressing hope that this helpline would go a long way in imparting quality Healthcare and diagnostic services to the people, he asked the Health department to rope in the services of retired employees of the department along with the NGOs for this noble cause. "This 104-Helpline will provide an effective platform for prompt redressal of complaints, grievances of general public against any government medical institution, service or an inpidual" he added.
Meanwhile, the officers of the Health department apprised the Chief Minister that requirements of the caller would be classified into critical, serious or stable and accordingly they would be advised to utilize the services of Emergency Response Services 108 or would be given details of the nearby medical facilities. It was also informed that qualified paramedics supported by full-time qualified medical practitioner and clinical psychologist would be stationed at the Helpline for offering services to the people.
It was also informed that counseling services of patients, especially the vulnerable i.e. the old, women, children and poor would also be given through this helpline. Apart from this, the services of counseling for alcohol, drugs, smoking and mental ailment like; anxiety, suicidal tendencies, chronic disease like cancer etc. would also be provided. Counseling would also be given for other services like family planning, adolescent reproductive, sexual health along with the counseling about stigmatized diseases such as HIV, AIDS and Leprosy.
Likewise, this helpline would also serve as an Information Directory Service like: Medical facilities, Hospitals, Pharmacies, Independent practitioners, Diagnostic services, Rehabilitation Centers and other healthcare facilities. Apart from this, information concerning to Women and Child Healthcare, Information of Alternate Medication (AYUSH), Nutrition and Hygiene information and Health alerts and warnings would also be provided. The Chief Minister was also apprised that the helpline would also function as a Call Centre for Mother Child Tracking System for maintaining and validating records of beneficiaries in MCTS Portal as well as to coordinate with beneficiaries for availing the due services on time and informing the beneficiaries regarding benefits available to them in other government schemes.
It was also informed that the 104 helpline would operate as a Resource Centre for ANMs, ASHAs, LHVs and other health workers to respond to their queries while they were working in remote and rural areas. Any complaints relating to PNDT (sex-determination), Food and Drugs, Birth and Death certificates, MTP, Non availability of services of any programme especially under Janani Sishu Surakasha Karyakaram (JSSK) and any other regulations being implemented by the Department could be registered on this 24x7 toll free helpline for the public. The helpline would be equipped to take queries and respond to the caller in any of the 3 languages i.e. Punjabi, Hindi and English.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Health and Family Welfare Minister Surjit Kumar Jiyani, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Special Principal Secretaries to the Chief Minister Gaggndip Singh Brar and Mr. Ajoy Kumar Sharma, Managing Director of the Punjab Health Systems Corporation Mr. Hussan Lal and Director Health Services Dr. Karmjeet Singh.