The Health Department is launching a ‘Dial a Doctor’ service on Monday, which will enable the public to seek health-related advice over phone round-the-clock from doctors, by dialling a toll-free number.
The service is being made available to the public through the department’s call centre, Disha, which can be accessed through the phone number 1056.
The caller can seek advice from doctors on health-related issues, first-aid, vaccination and so on. A selected panel of 74 doctors from various specialties have been set up to help the Health Department deliver this service. At least eight doctors will be available on a given day to answer queries.
As this is the examination season, a separate panel of 10 psychologists will specially answer calls from children on dealing with exam-related stress and on their other concerns.
The calls will be handled by 21-trained counsellors who will route the calls to the doctors judiciously.
The project is being managed by the National Health Mission, with technical support from Technopark-based firm OrisysIndia Consultancy Services.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will inaugurate the ‘Dial a Doctor’ scheme and launch the website www.disha1056.com at a function to be held at the Durbar Hall, Secretariat on Monday.
