AP to launch digital health portal for students

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Andhra Pradesh government had brought a dedicated digital health portal for students aged 13-19, aiming to promote awareness on health, hygiene, mental wellbeing, and responsible behaviour. The portal, titled ‘AP School Health & Wellness Programme (APSHWP)’, has been developed in line with the vision of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

Announcing the initiative, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav said the portal (apshwp.ap.gov.in) has been designed as a digital learning management system to provide scientifically accurate and reliable information to students. The platform enables self-learning through e-modules, covering a wide range of topics including physical changes during adolescence, mental health, personal hygiene, nutrition, gender equality, substance abuse prevention, HIV awareness, road safety, and safe use of the internet and social media.

The initiative is part of the state’s broader adolescent health programme, with a strong emphasis on preventive healthcare and behavioural awareness. To ensure effective implementation, the government has launched extensive training programmes for teachers and lecturers in government high schools and junior colleges. Master trainers have already been trained, and in each district, around 150 educators are being equipped to guide students in using the portal.

Officials said the platform addresses a key challenge faced by students, access to reliable and scientific information. Often, adolescents rely on fragmented or misleading inputs from social media or informal sources. To counter this, the portal provides structured, verified content developed with expert inputs, ensuring credibility and clarity.

The portal features 11 core thematic areas, with engaging video lessons in both Telugu and English, each designed to be completed within 15 minutes. These videos use conversational formats to explain sensitive topics such as menstrual hygiene, mental health, addiction risks, and social media overuse. In addition, the platform includes interactive elements like quizzes, games, and online assessments, with certificates issued to students who score above 80%, encouraging active participation.

So far, over 36,000 students have registered on the platform, with nearly 75% of them being girls, highlighting strong engagement among female students. Registration is simple, requiring only basic details such as name, mobile number, and email ID.

The initiative reflects strong inter-departmental collaboration, involving the Health Department, Education Department, Women and Child Welfare Department, AIDS Control Society, UNICEF, and AIIMS Mangalagiri. The portal also integrates important resources such as child helplines, Tele-MANAS mental health support, and other emergency contacts, making it a comprehensive digital support system for adolescents.

With this initiative, Andhra Pradesh has set a new benchmark in leveraging technology for student health education, awareness, and empowerment, aiming to build a healthier and more informed young generation.