The Union Health Ministry of India has recently unveiled SAKSHAM (Stimulating Advanced Knowledge for Sustainable Health Management), a comprehensive Learning Management Information System (LMIS). This system, initially designed and implemented by the National Institute of Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW), caters to healthcare professionals across the nation.
About SAKSHAM
SAKSHAM is a digital platform designed for the purpose of providing online training and medical education for all healthcare professionals in the country, regardless of their location or level in the healthcare system. Offering a wide array of educational opportunities, this platform serves as an avenue for inclusive capacity building among health professionals, from those employed in rural and remote primary health centers to employees in metropolitan cities’ tertiary care and corporate hospitals.
What SAKSHAM Offers
Currently hosting more than 200 public health and 100 clinical courses, SAKSHAM: LMIS offers a versatile learning experience, accessible through online mode. As it grows, SAKSHAM is projected to become a centralized resource repository for training and teaching materials. It also aims to act as a central database of trained healthcare professionals across the nation, building a strong network and community of health practitioners.
The Role of NIHFW in SAKSHAM
The National Institute of Health & Family Welfare (NIHFW) has played a crucial role in the development of SAKSHAM. Founded on March 9th, 1977, under the autonomous Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, NIHFW’s primary role is to serve as a think tank for promoting health and family welfare programs throughout the country.
Throughout the years, NIHFW has established itself as the premier organization for capacity building through the training of health professionals, frontline health workers such as Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANMs), and other central and state officers and healthcare staff. This wealth of experience and knowledge contributes significantly to the creation and maintenance of SAKSHAM.
Implications of SAKSHAM
The introduction of SAKSHAM represents a significant step forward in the Indian healthcare system. By offering accessible, comprehensive online training, this platform has the potential to elevate the standard of care provided by healthcare professionals across the country. Furthermore, by maintaining a centralized repository of training materials and a database of trained professionals, SAKSHAM can streamline the process of professional development in the healthcare sector, resulting in more efficient training processes and higher quality care.