App launched to aid ASHA workers in maternal, child healthcare duties

Gannavaram (AP): A Hyderabad-based IT services company today said it has developed a mobile App that would allow Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) in Andhra Pradesh to access requisite guidelines on pre and post- pregnancy care anywhere and at any time.

The application, developed by Kellton Tech Solutions Ltd, was launched here on Monday to coincide with AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's 65th birthday in the presence of Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas, Gannavaram MLA Vallabhaneni Vamsi and Krishna District Zilla Parishad Chairperson Gadde Anuradha, the company said in a statement.

Around 50 tablet devices, with the App pre-installed, were distributed by Srinivas, it said.

"As part of Naidu's vision to transform the healthcare landscape of AP, an initiative to provide pregnant/lactating women and newborns with high-quality healthcare using latest digital technologies was introduced; this needed ASHA workers to have constant access to easily-retrievable information," the company said.

The company said that it stepped in to develop a full- fledged, easy-to-use interactive guidance system with Telugu, the regional language, as the medium of instruction to enable ASHA workers to better assist those in rural areas.

"The audio-visual application further allows ASHA workers to record the health parameters of women and children and store data for future reference. Workers are sensitised on recognition of danger signs in pregnancy, symptoms of high- risk pregnancy, desired nutritional status and timely immunisation, among others," it said.

"The ASHA workers, thus empowered, would be better- equipped to assist women and children whose condition is poised to benefit from regular monitoring," it added.