By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 12: The Health Department on Monday distributed mobile tablets to the ASHA workers and facilitators at a function held at the conference room of the Pasteur Institute.
The government sanctioned Rs 15 crore through the ASHA programme of the National Health Mission (NHM) for the distribution of the mobile tablets.
Addressing the gathering at the event, Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said the objective of providing mobile tablets to the ASHA workers and facilitators was to make them more productive and improve the quality of services they provide.
She said the ASHA workers are helping the government by providing information necessary to formulate the health programmes and policies.
Urging the ASHA workers and facilitators to increase their efficiency by using the tablets optimally, she said that they can collect the data from their door-to-door visits and give feedback on how the government can improve the implementation of its health programmes.
Lyngdoh encouraged the health workers to download the applications of the Health Department such as the MOTHER app and the immunisation app.
“By providing tablets to ASHA workers and facilitators, we can empower them to work more efficiently and effectively, ultimately improving health outcomes in the rural areas,” she said.
A senior official said the mobile tablets are expected to help the ASHAs stay updated with the latest healthcare information and guidelines. He said it will also help them access digital platforms and tools that facilitate their work, such as electronic health records.
The official said this initiative will help improve data collection and reporting, enabling more effective planning and decision-making. “Most importantly, it will help enhance their skills and knowledge through online training and capacity-building programmes,” he added.
The tablets are also expected to facilitate real-time communication and collaboration among the ASHA workers, facilitators and other healthcare professionals.
Principal Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare, Sampath Kumar also spoke on the occasion.