Arogyavani Explained

Country:	India
Ministry:	Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Key People:	U. T. Khader^[1] ^[2]
Launched:	^[3]
Launch Place:	IT Park, Hubli, Karnataka.
Current Status:	Active

Arogyavani is an initiative first conceptualized and implemented by the Government of Karnataka. It is a toll-free health helpline number (Dial to 104) functioning 24/7 hrs for the convenience of general public.^{[4] [5]} Arogyavani Health Information Helpline provides the medically validated advice, Health Related Schemes launched by various governments, health counseling services and also lodge the complaints against Healthcare service providers like Doctors, Hospital and corruption in Health sector.^[6]

Presence in other States of India

After its success in Karnataka in agreement with Piramal Swasthya, the Government of Punjab started 104 Medical Helpline call center by entering into an agreement with Ziqitza Healthcare Limited from June 2014. In the state of Punjab, the services under the Arogyavani initiative are available in three languages namely Punjabi, Hindi and English.^[7] In its first year, the 104 medical helpline proved boon for 47,476 people in the state of Punjab.^[8]

In the state of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, Ziqitza Healthcare Limited operates 104 health helpline number through Tender processing under Public Private Partnership (PPP) with National Health Mission(NHM).^[9] The other states where 104 non-emergency medical helpline number is active are Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Madhya Pradesh.^[10]

Objective

The main objective of 104 Medical Helpline number is to provide information and advice for health related services to general public seeking answers or resolutions for the following concerned areas:

• Information Directory for tracking health services providers/institutions, diagnostic services, hospitals etc.
• Complaint Registration about person/institution relating to deficiency of services, negligence, corruption, etc. in government healthcare institutions.
• Advice on long term ill conditions like diabetes, heart issues etc.
• Response to health scares and other localized epidemics.
• Counseling and advice (stress, depression, anxiety, post-trauma recovery, HIV, AIDS, RTI, STI etc.)
• Health and symptoms checker (initial assessment, flu advice, pregnancy related information etc.)
• First aid information and advice.
• Any other health related services/issues.^[11]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Helpline '104' launched for medical consultation. 20 June 2013. 18 March 2019. enarada.com.
2. Web site: Helpline '104' launched for medical consultation. 20 June 2013. Deccan Herald. 18 March 2019.
3. Web site: Karnataka launched Health information Help Line Service Arogya Vani. 1 July 2013. Jagranjosh.com. 18 March 2019.
4. Web site: Glitches disrupt 104 Arogyavani services. Afshan. Yasmeen. 21 October 2017. 18 March 2019. The Hindu.
5. News: Health helpline receives over 80,000 calls. The Times of India. 19 August 2013 . 18 March 2019.
6. Web site: Phone Doctor 104 Arogyavani crosses 1 million customer calls in Karnataka.
7. Web site: Medical Helpline:104. 22 January 2020. Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Punjab. 14 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200114031907/http://www.pbhealth.gov.in/Note%20104.pdf. dead.
8. Web site: 104 medical helpline served 47,476 people in its first year. 11 July 2015. 22 January 2020. The Pioneer.
9. Web site: Dial 104 Health Helpline. 23 January 2020. www.zhl.org.in.
10. Web site: HELPLINE NUMBERS. 22 January 2020. www.aasra.info.
11. Web site: Medical Helpline:104. 22 January 2020. Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Punjab. 14 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200114031907/http://www.pbhealth.gov.in/Note%20104.pdf. dead.