District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr. Satish Kumar has called upon ASHA workers and health personnel to provide quality healthcare services and discharge their responsibilities diligently in order to reduce maternal and infant mortality in the district.
He was speaking at a training workshop on the ‘Kilkari’ service organised by the Health and Family Welfare Department at the District Surveyor’s Office Hall in Madikeri recently. Dr. Satish Kumar said that maternal and newborn deaths could occur due to various reasons and that the government had introduced the Kilkari service to prevent such deaths. Under the initiative, information related to pregnancy, maternal health and child healthcare would be delivered directly to the mobile phones of beneficiary families.
He urged ASHA workers and health personnel to exercise greater care and provide timely information regarding health services to pregnant women in order to reduce maternal and infant mortality. He warned that negligence leading to adverse outcomes would invite action. District RCH Officer Dr. Madhusudan said that ‘Kilkari’ is a free mobile-based voice messaging service introduced by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for the health protection of pregnant women, lactating mothers and newborns. The scheme aims to reduce maternal and child mortality and create health awareness among people, particularly in rural areas.
He said that certain changes had recently been incorporated into the scheme and advised pregnant women to remain fully informed about them. He also urged programme officers to bring issues relating to language and network connectivity on the portal to the attention of the government.
Kilkari Mysuru Division Programme Officer Gurupad explained that the service provides information to registered pregnant women and mothers regarding newborn care, immunisation, nutrition and maternal and child safety. He said health-related information is provided free of cost through mobile calls and monthly voice messages from the fourth month of pregnancy until the child completes one year of age.
He stated that the Kilkari service was launched across the country on January 15, 2016, and was extended to Karnataka in October 2024. Beneficiaries can register their mobile numbers through ASHA workers or primary health centre officials on the RCH portal. Information is delivered in a simple and easily understandable manner in the voice of a fictional doctor named “Dr. Anita.
A total of 18 calls are made under the service, comprising six calls during pregnancy beginning from the fourth month and 12 calls after childbirth. Beneficiaries can obtain information by dialling 14423. Calls will also be received from the number 1600403660, and registered beneficiaries are advised to answer the calls to access the information. Failure to do so may result in the number being blocked.
He stressed that ASHA workers and health officials should create awareness about the service, ensure the registration of all eligible beneficiaries and play an active role in safeguarding the health of mothers and children.
District Survey Officer Dr. Srinivas, District Health Education Officer H.K. Shanthi, ASHA workers, primary health centre officials and District ME Manager Bhumika were present. Bhumika welcomed the gathering and proposed the vote of thanks.
