Healthcare in Nepal Goes Digital!

Towards improving healthcare access to its populace, the Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal has come up with technology-driven healthcare services, mHealth and eHealth, and has begun formal efforts for the same.

In this regard, the Health Ministry has launched a mobile application and SMS services under the first phase, on Monday. These new services piloted in Baglung and Ilam districts were intended to track pregnant mothers, assisting them in their regular antenatal visits.

Besides 59 Village Development Committees (VDC) in Baglung and 24 VDCs in Ilam, the programme is also expected to cater to the needs of some VDCs in Gorkha and Dhading areas. These timely SMS services will allow the Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHV) to assist public in their respective areas by reminding them of timely antenatal visits, thus increasing the overall antenatal visits.

It is noteworthy that the country has been witnessing a lapse in the mandatory four-time visits of the pregnant mothers to the healthcare facilities. The new healthcare services gain significance in this regard in addressing the issue.

These digital healthcare services put forward by the Health Ministry are part of the MoU signed on Friday between the Health Ministry and Medic Mobile, an international healthcare-related technology service provider.