Innovations made in health sector in Madhya Pradesh have earned global encomiums. The Digital Empowerment Foundation selected Sampark Setu Yojana of the Health Department for the mBillionth Award and the award was received by the Director, National Health Mission, Faiz Ahmad Kidwai, and Programme Manager Amit Jain at a function held at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.
Digital Empowerment Foundation had invited entries from 8 South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Maldives for better and innovative use of mobile phone in social change and development sector. On this basis, Madhya Pradesh Health Department's Sampark Setu Yojana was adjudged the best. The scheme was also conferred Chairman's Special Award. The foundation had received 300 entries from 8 countries from which Madhya Pradesh was selected in m-Health category.
The Health Department had launched Sampark Setu Yojana in December 2012 to extend health services to remote areas of the state. Under the scheme, officers-employees of state, division, district, development block and Gram Arogya Kendras contact each other. Field staff of the Health Department has been provided with 77,000 common user group (CUG) SIMes through which all health staff in the state including ASHA workers have been inter-connected.
The field staff gives necessary information to the concerning officers through SMS. As a result, needy areas and persons get health assistance immediately. About 10 to 12 lakh SMSes are exchanged through this service every month. System of paperless supervision e-Health System has been implanted through this project. Besides, Team Health group has also been constituted on social media having 12,000 members. The scheme is helping in effective conduct of health facilities in Madhya Pradesh.