Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh government launched a health information helpline jointly with the Satyam Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Satyam Computer Services on Friday.
The helpline is claimed to be the first such initiative in Asia.
The 'Hello Doctor-1056' scheme would help people, particularly rural poor facing difficulties in accessing a qualified doctor, in getting advice on complications, level and type of medical services and full details of available service providers in Government and private sector, Health Minister K Rosaiah said.
The Centre had approved setting up the helpline under the National Rural Health Mission, he said adding, the service would become fully operational all over the state by the Telugu New Year.
The Government sanctioned Rs 2.67 crore to the Foundation, the state-level nodal agency for recurring and non-recurring expenses during 2006-07, he said.
The foundation would contribute total recurring and non-recurring cost of Rs 5.36 crore, including provision of application software.
The helpline would provide information on neonatal health problems, HIV/AIDS, immunisation and antenatal care services, the Minister said.
State Principal Health Secretary C B S Venkataramana signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of the State Government and by Dr Balaji Utla of the Foundation.
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