India’s first Tele-MANAS chatbot, which will start an instant conversation with people in distress, was launched in J&K on July 5. This year Kashmir saw the highest number of distress calls to the Tele-Manas centre.
Round the clock service
“The initiative will ensure the availability of health counsellors, clinical psychologists and consultants round-the-clock,” J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who inaugurated the ‘J&K Health Conclave’ on Mental Health and Non-Communicable Diseases at Srinagar, said.
The Lt. Governor commended the efforts of the health department to deliberate on the most challenging health issues and to generate awareness on mental health and life-threatening non-communicable diseases.
“The new landmark initiatives launched today are testimony to the commitment of the J&K administration to provide quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services to all,” the L-G said.
MoU with NIMHANS
J&K Health and Medical Education Department has two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre and NIMHANS.
“The MoU will provide significant technical support to improve cancer care services in the UT and help us to establish Preventive Oncology Service, Day Care Centers and Palliative Care Service at District Hospitals,” he said.
NIMHANS, Bengaluru, has been tasked to improve mental health services, training and capacity building of medical officers and nursing staff.
In the six months after the launch of Tele-MANAS in Kashmir, the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Srinagar, received 10,500 calls from people in distress across Jammu and Kashmir’. Toll-free numbers are 14416 and 1800-891-4416.
The Lt. Governor said per capita spending on the health sector in J&K is among the highest in the country. “During upgradation or building of new infrastructure, we have focused on three factors- effectiveness, accessibility and resilient systems,” the Lt. Governor said.
The Lt. Governor inaugurated 44 healthcare facilities worth ₹56.18 Cr to strengthen the medical infrastructure in J&K.
