A free health information helpline — 104, dialing which citizens can access four services — medical directory, medical services, counseling and grievances/feedback cell, was announced on Friday.
Health and Family Welfare Minister, Aravinda Limbavali, said the helpline will be operational by January-end. It will be similar to the 108 ambulance service.
The proposal to set up the helpline was taken up during the State’s budget session for year 2012-2013 in March.
Health and Family Welfare Department Principal Secretary Madan Gopal said the help line coming under the State government scheme will be set up at 100 work stations initially and depending on the response, expanded to another 300 stations gradually.
Tenders have been called for the Rs 10-crore helpline project which will ensure the quality of services in health department is maintained and help those who cannot afford medical services easily.
Besides getting to know the whereabouts of hospitals, people suffering from depression can avail counseling from a panel of expert doctors, he added.
“The helpline will have different category of panels to guide callers and give them the information,” said an official.
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