A virtual programme for launching of i-Learn App was held at the chamber of Minister, Health & Family Welfare, Kohima on 23rd March 2021.
Minister of Health & Family Welfare, S. Pangnyu Phom briefed that India is now struggling with the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nagaland, with support from USAID's project NISHTHA, implemented by Jhpiego, have launched Naga Telehealth, a telemedicine platform for ensuring continuity of essential health services across all 189 HWCS in the State. More than 1000 tele consultations has been conducted through this platform and have received good feedback from medical doctors and CHOS.
He added, the health workforces have been on the frontline, fighting the pandemic and there is a need to equip them with the right knowledge, skills, and expertise. S. Pangnyu stated that Nagaland in partnership with USAID-NISHTHA/Jhpiego, has implemented the i-Learn which is a CHO Capacity Building and Performance Tracking Application. It is a learning management system for CHOs with self-facilitated learning for improving and learning new skills in clinical and non-clinical areas.
He stated that the initiative will be able to support CHOS in enhancing their skills and capacities in various domains and ultimately ensure provision of the quality and affordable healthcare services and hoped to build stronger, well-skilled, and equipped health workers to provide quality and accessible healthcare services to the community.
Mission Director, NHM, Dr. I. Talitemsula Jamir stated that the success of the ambitious program especially within the given timeline will not be possible without the CHOS, who led the primary healthcare team at the HWCS, thereby bringing quality care closer to the community. CHOS are a vital cadre of the health workforce to bring quality, affordable and accessible healthcare right to the doorstep of our communities and is important to strengthen their skills who will be at the forefront of healthcare delivery at the HWCS. She stated that the tool will support Community Health Officers at HWCS in strengthening their clinical and non-clinical skills through training over a period of time. The platform also includes a unique architecture wherein we will be able to monitor the progress of CHOS across HWCS as part of empowering them with new skill sets.
Director, Health Office USAID, Sangita Patel in her address pointed out that USAID is committed to protect the safety and health security of the global workforce and ensure to continue life-saving mission across the world, and support partner countries in their response to COVID-19. NISHTHA is supporting the state government of Nagaland for moving from a fragmented to comprehensive primary healthcare through operationalization of Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centres, she added
She also remarked and thanked the State government for the partnership to work together and combat the pandemic, building a stronger and resilient health system and health workforce to ensure that everyone has access to quality and accessible healthcare services.
(Siizo Kikhi, IA)
