Chennai: The state has been witnessing outbreak of fever cases including dengue and swine flu (H1N1) in the recent days resulting in calls to 104-Health Helpline (HHL), run by Tamil Nadu Health System Project (TNHSP), and health department for giving medical advice to the public and patients, increasing.
Documents available with Deccan Chronicle showed that the helpline, which received 1,379 calls per day in last August, soared in quick succession to 2,587 calls in October till date, with September recorded 2,406 calls per day. However, calls relating to heavy fever cases were in small numbers. Accordingly, August, September and October recorded 38, 42 and 56 calls, the data noted.
According to officials, 104 helpline is the centralized information system, which serves people through telecommunication by the state health department. Further, such helpline is functioning round the clock providing information related to health and health care delivery system, counseling to the needy people and register complaints pertaining to health.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, P. Uma Maheswari, Project Director, TNHSP, said, “we are aware of the current situation and the number of calls to the helpline has gradually shot up. Further, we provide quality and authenticated medical advice with the trained professionals, doctors and paramedics.”
There was an increase in the number of total calls and quires related to fever in the past three months, she noted, adding that the top three queries included preventive measures of dengue and H1N1, mode of spread of dengue and swine flu and availability of investigation and treatment for dengue respectively.
Maheswari also appealed to people not to go for self-medication and people, who develop fever and other illness, could ring up 104 for oral medical consultation.
“The helpline is also providing guidance for the people on the various government health facilities, while it acts as a channel to register complaints pertaining to health and healthcare facility and complaints registered will be escalated to the concerned authorities and will be followed up till closure,” said another official, instructing the public to visit nearby government health institutions like Primary Health Centres (PHC) and district government hospital headquarters, if they felt unwell.
