COVID-19 lockdown: Dispur launches ‘e-Help’ for hassle-free services to citizens

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Dispur has launched “e-Help” to help citizens of the State dealing with various challenges arising out of the COVID-19 outbreak and lockdown.

E-Help is a joint initiative of the Common Services Centre Scheme (CSCS) Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) Assam and the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). It will be a convergence effort of 6000 plus CSCSs and 33 Districts Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs).

The government will extend six primary support activities under e-Help. They are –

* Dissemination of advisories and other vital information through direct & indirect modes (live webcasting, call, SMS, Whatsapp etc),

* Promotion of awareness, installation and usage of AarogyaSetu App among citizens to fight spread of COVID-19,

* Mental healthcare of citizens, especially elderly and children, through emotional wellbeing tele-counseling(video-based interaction),

* Continuity of non-emergency medical services for citizens through tele-medicine consultation (video based interaction). Healthcare of livestock through e-PashuChikitsa,

* Disbursement of DBT under Garib Kalyan Scheme and PMKISAN, and other banking services through CSC Bank Correspondents and Digipay, and

* Potential use of CSCs as stocking and distribution points of essential commodities through CSC e-Grameen Store App

So far, 5.57 lakh downloads of the AarogyaSetu App have been carried out through the network of CSCS in the State under e-Help initiative.

Tele-counseling facility for emotional well-being under e-Help is expected to commence soon. Volunteer psychiatrists and psychologists have been enlisted from Down Town University, Down Town Hospital, Mind India and IPCER.

So far, 1991 tele-medicine calls have been made in the State. There has been a limited availability of doctors due to COVID-19 duties. According to ASDMA volunteer doctors have been enlisted from Health City Hospital, Sun Valley Hospital and other institutions to tackle the problem. However, there is a need for more doctors to meet the high number of consultation requests.

State Project Coordinator of ASDMA Pankaj Chakravarty said at a time when normal life has come to standstill in the State due to lockdown the government has taken digital help and innovation to help citizens without going out of their homes.

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