The Health Department in association with the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) is launching a 24-hour helpline. The project called Direct Interventions System for Health Awareness (DISHA) will be available throughout the state on the toll free number 1056. By calling this number, services related to health can be known.
For the time being, it would function as a helpline for students facing exam stress. Students can seek counselling for the stress felt during exams. Studies have found out that around 5 per cent of students do not perform well in exams.
Expert counsellors will be available to provide counselling over phone. The call centre facility is arranged at the Thejaswini building in Technopark. BSNL network is being used for the project. Steps have been taken to get the services of other networks also in future.
On the second phase, the services of doctors, other experts would be made available. Information on counselling services available to victims of atrocities, first aid, palliative care etc would also be provided on call.