Kohima, June 30 (MExN): NISHTHA Tele-track, a comprehensive tech-enabled home-based isolation care model for monitoring and follow-up of COVID-19 patients in Nagaland was launched on June 30.
NISHTHA Tele-track platform has been developed with support from USAID’s flagship health system strengthening project NISHTHA, implemented by Jhpiego.
It is a home-based care model for asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 cases under home isolation. Through this platform, COVID-19 patients will be closely monitored and will have access to report their symptoms and record vitals at home.
The initiative is being rolled out in two highly affected districts in Nagaland (Kohima and Dimapur) on a pilot basis.
Speaking at the inauguration of the model, State Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom said that the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect across the country, including Nagaland.
The unprecedented rise in cases resulted in overburdening our secondary and tertiary facilities across the State and has highlighted the need to decentralize care to a home-based level which will help in better management of mild COVID-19 patients as well as reduce the burden in our hospitals, Pangnyu stated.
In addition, the recent guidelines issued by the Central government had highlighted the home isolation option for ‘very mild/pre-symptomatic patients having the requisite facility at residence’.
In view of this, the Minister announced the launch of the ‘NISHTHA Tele-track’ platform on Wednesday.
“This is an innovative end-to-end integrated tech-enabled home-based care model for monitoring, care, and management of asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 cases under home isolation. Through this platform, COVID-19 patients will be closely monitored and will have access to report their symptoms and record vitals right at their homes,” Pangnyu highlighted.
Home isolation kits that contain basic equipment and medicines will also be distributed to those patients and they will be able to consult with doctors and specialists right from their homes through teleconsultation.
Through this app, patients will also have access to diet and mental health counselors taking care of not only their physical but also their mental well being, the Minister said and expressed confidence that the initiative would benefit the people of Nagaland.
With extended support from USAID NISHTHA Jhpiego, The State will be able to effectively track and monitor mild COVID cases which are under home isolation and create linkages for need-based referral to the nearest public health facilities for appropriate care and management, the Minister added.
Principal Director, Health and Family Welfare, Neikhrielie Khimiao also informed that the platform will act as an enabler for effective monitoring and tracking of COVID-19 patients and will facilitate recording of vitals of home isolated cases on a daily basis. This also has provision of regular and need based SOS telemedicine consultations with a pool of physicians and diet and mental health counselors, he said.
Extending gratitude to all dignitaries and partners present, Dr Khimiao appealed the State and District officials to extend their support for the success of the initiative.
