NISHTHA COVID Sanchar launched to Monitor Home Isolation COVID Patients in Kamrup (M)

GUWAHATI: With the rise in the number of cases owing to the second wave of the pandemic, it becomes all the more important to ensure regular follow-up with patients under home isolation. This will further help in paving the way towards enabling access to the right care at the right time for improving health outcomes for the overall community.

NISHTHA COVID Sanchar to Monitor Home Isolation COVID Patients:

To further strengthen efforts in management of COVID-19, the State government of Assam with support from USAID's flagship health system strengthening project NISHTHA, implemented by Jhpiego, has launched 'NISHTHA COVID Sanchar', an IVRS (Interactive Voice Response System) based remote monitoring model for patients under home isolation in Kamrup metro district. This model was launched by Pomi Baruah, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), NHM Assam on Wednesday.

Speaking at the launch, she highlighted that this is an important initiative that will help the State to monitor and ensure access to healthcare services for each and every member of the community. She also talked about how this partnership will go a long way in effectively managing the State's response to COVID-19. Also present at the launch were other dignitaries including Sangita Patel, Director Health office, USAID India; Dr Bulbul Sood, Country Director, Jhpiego; Dr Anuradha Jain, Technical Advisor- Health Systems' Strengthening, USAID India; Dr. Swati Mahajan, Chief of Party, NISHTHA; other state and district officials and team NISHTHA/Jhpiego.

During the launch, Sangita Patel, Director, Health Office, USAID spoke about USAID's commitment to support the State government. She highlighted the need to create a strong, responsive, accessible, sustainable, and affordable primary healthcare system that will be better prepared to manage future public health threats and improve the health outcomes of the marginalized and vulnerable populations. She also appreciated this IVRS initiative which will help in closing the loop and ensure early identification of symptoms of COVID-19, enabling linking to appropriate care. Dr Bulbul Sood, Country Director, Jhpiego, thanked the State government for collaborating with USAID-NISHTHA for rolling out this initiative, which will further help in building a stronger and responsive health system to address the needs of the communities.

NISHTHA COVID Sanchar model will ensure regular monitoring and follow-up of patients under home isolation and early identification of symptomatic cases. This is a hybrid model that will be deployed using the IVR technology, web-based google form, and tele-calling by trained human resources to ensure seamless follow-up of patients under home isolation. This IVR based initiative will augment the State's comprehensive efforts towards COVID-19 which will go a long way in increasing the recovery rates and thereby, reducing overall morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19, stated a release.

Also Read: 55 die of COVID-19 in Assam on Wednesday, 430 new cases detected in Kamrup (M)