India has launched two digital initiatives to provide access to health services to the public: GIS-enabled HMIS application and the self-printing of e-CGHS cards.
“The initiative will monitor the performance and quality of the health services being provided under the NHM,” said JP Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare.
The GIS-enabled HMIS services will provide data on a GIS platform on 1.6 lakh Government Health facilities. Effective usage of the HMIS application, enhancement of analytical capabilities of states and geographical display of HMIS data using GIS are some of the objectives.
The application has scope of incorporating map layers of roads and water bodies which will provide comprehensive information regarding health facilities and disease vulnerable areas of the country. At present, the application is available in login domain of HMIS portal. The mapping provides data only on public health facilities presently. India government plans to cover private facilities as well.
At present, 1.94 lakh health facilities across all states and UTs are uploading facility wise data on monthly basis on HMIS web portal. Data are being made available to various stakeholders in the form of standard / customized reports, fact-sheets, score-cards etc. The ministry and states are using HMIS data for policy planning, monitoring and supervision purpose.
