A round-the-clock, toll-free helpline for information on children with neuro-developmental problems was launched at AIIMS last week by Union Minister of State for Health, Anupriya Patel. Three studies and years of research paved the way for the helpline, which is already fielding over 100 calls per day. The helpline (1800-11-7776) is managed by a team of four trained nurse counsellors, working under the supervision of resident doctors and faculty of the AIIMS paediatric department.
“The idea was for any parent or caregiver to be able to access free and accurate information. We are getting between 100 and 130 calls a day from across the country,” said professor of paediatric neurology, Sheffali Gulati.
Neurological disorders — including epilepsy, autism and developmental delay — are among the most common illnesses which paediatricians encounter, and which require long-term management.
Read more of this in a report by Aniruddha Ghosal published in The Times of India...
