Kilhari

Context

The Central Government launched the Kilkari program and Mobile Academy in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

 Kilkari

Kilkari is a free, government-run program in India under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that provides weekly, time-sensitive audio information about reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) directly to families’ mobile phones.

• Target audience: Pregnant women and mothers with children under one year old.
• Content: 72 pre-recorded messages voiced by a fictitious doctor character named Dr. Anita, covering topics such as:
  • Pregnancy care and nutrition
  • Delivery and newborn care
  • Immunization and child development
  • Tips for breastfeeding and hygiene
  • Identifying and responding to danger signs
• Delivery: Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology, allowing users to navigate menu options and hear specific messages.
• Benefits: Aims to improve families’ knowledge and uptake of life-saving preventative health practices, leading to better health outcomes for mothers and children.

Additional Information:

• Launched in: 2019, initially in Gujarat and Maharashtra, with plans to expand to other states.
• Implementation: Utilizes the Reproductive Child Health (RCH) portal to target beneficiaries registered during pregnancy or after childbirth.
• Cost: Free for the beneficiaries, centrally hosted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).

Studies have shown positive results in terms of increased knowledge, improved health-seeking behavior, and better health outcomes for mothers and children.