The data collected under the National Rural Health Mission would be fed on the Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS) software. Designed by the National Information Centre, the software is installed in the taluk hospitals across the State.
The taluk hospitals get the data from primary health centres which in turn obtain
information from auxiliary midwife nurses (ANM) or ASHA (accredited social health activist) workers.
It is estimated that about 12 lakh women and 10 lakh children would be registered through the software.
The ANM/ASHA workers issue a ‘thayi’ card to pregnant women and register them for ante-natal check-up. The details are SMSed to taluk hospitals where the data operators feed the information into the software.
The software generates date-wise details of deliverance of services which are conveyed to the ANMs and the expectant mothers.
Immunisations, checkups
The primary objective of the service is to ensure that the expectant mothers and newborns get immunisations and check-ups at regular intervals.
The system also creates accountability and transparency at the sub-centre level.
The Word Bank-funded Karnataka Health Systems Development and Reforms Project has floated tenders to install computers and provide internet facility in all primary health centres across the State, NRHM director S Selvakumar told Deccan Herald. He said the infrastructure would be in place in about three months.
"We are the pioneers in creating such a programme. Now, the Government of India is thinking of extending it to other states," he said. Since the ANMs are expected to SMS the data, the NRHM officials are working out plans on reimbursement of the SMS charges.
Bangalore scenario
As many as 2,197 women have been registered under MCTS in Bangalore alone, since this January.
Dr M Thimmappa, district health officer, said the system prevents duplication and provides services to women even if they go to some other part of the State, since the information could be accessed online.
He said it would also help track women, who may have high risk pregnancy and refer such women to taluk hospitals for check-ups. The only issue was that data should be fed on time, else it would result in lot of confusion, he felt.
That vital link
* ANM/ASHA workers identify and collect data of expectant mothers
* The information SMSed to taluk hospitals
* Data computerised at taluk hospitals
* Mother and Child Tracking System generates date-wise details of deliverance of services
* The schedule of services conveyed to ANMs and expectant mothers
* 12 lakh women and 10 lakh children can be registered through MCTS
* Tender floated to install computers at taluk hospitals