On 24th August 2024, despite the heavy rain, a Community-Based Surveillance (CBS) training session was scheduled in the Brajrajnagar UPHC area. MAS members gathered at the community center, eager to participate. Among them was Deepanjali, one of the frontliners, who attended the training with a deep sense of responsibility for the health and well-being of her community. Her enthusiasm for improving the lives of her fellow community members was palpable.

In their area, the nearest health facility is quite far, and during certain seasons, the influx of patients increases, making it challenging to get timely attention, especially during emergencies or outbreaks of diseases. When Deepanjali learned about the CBS program and the mobile app designed to easily report disease outbreaks, she eagerly agreed to attend the training.

The 90-minute session was packed with valuable information. Participants were introduced to the app’s features through a live demonstration, showing them how to input disease-related data using their mobile phones. The app is designed with picture icons for symptoms, making it accessible even to those with limited literacy. This feature brought great relief, as it allowed anyone to confidently use the app to report outbreaks in their community. If an issue arises, it will be addressed within 24 hours with the necessary intervention.

Throughout the training, Deepanjali actively engaged by asking insightful questions and practicing with the app. She quickly realized the immense potential of this tool in preventing the spread of diseases and ensuring swift action when health concerns arise. "This training has empowered me, and I feel confident in using the app to make a difference," she shared. The CBS training has provided the community with an invaluable opportunity to report health issues promptly, enabling the health administration to take immediate steps to control the spread of diseases, ultimately improving the overall health and well-being of the entire community.

“I never imagined that, I would have access to a tool that could make such a difference in our’s health & well-being. The Community-Based Surveillance App has given me the ability to monitor and report health issues from my village instantly. Undoubtedly it would help us to prevent diseases and get timely medical attention & intervention. Thank you to the CHRI-Paribartan team for making this possible.”