Laptops were distributed to 314 Village Health Nurses (VHNs) on Monday to help them carry out their day-to-day functions efficiently and to help the district administration keep track of medical requirements and schemes being implemented in the rural areas.
Addressing the VHNs on the Collectorate premises, Collector L. Subramanian said the nurses had to spread information about various government health schemes being implemented for the people.
“With the district health administration monitoring daily updates, necessary medical supplies and specialised treatment, if needed, can be arranged quickly,” he said.
The responsibilities of the VHNs attached to 56 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in the district include making daily visits to homes of expectant mothers and documenting their medical requirements.
They have to make entries regarding scans, anti-natal check-ups and iron and vitamin supplements to be given to the expectant mothers.
They are also expected to alert the people about the timely administration of vaccines, and schedules to be followed for general medication.
“The VHNs collected data through the week in registers and forms and updated health charts at the PHCs once a week. With the laptops, we expect them to update information daily and it will make their work less cumbersome,” said S. Senthil Kumar, Deputy Director of Health Services.
“We have sought to reduce the use of books and records and bring data regarding health in the district into an integrated system,” he noted.
Special trainingThe VHNs have also been given data cards along with their laptops to get internet access, and they will be given a special training in updating information.
