Residents in the capital city would get healthcare at their doorsteps as the State Government is going to launch mobile health services for them on Tuesday.
The mobile health services under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) would be launched to provide doctors’ consultations and medicines to people residing far away from hospitals. Two ambulances would be engaged in the first phase. later, the programme would be expanded.
The services would be managed by a private firm. Each ambulance having a doctor, a nurse and a pharmacist would move to different slums for 22 days in a month and provide services to 200-250 people on an average every day, sources said.
The slums that are situated far off hospitals would be given top priority. Medicines would be provided after conducting blood tests in emergency cases. Medicines would be given to the patients suffering from dysentery, fever and cough. The patients in serious conditions would be taken to hospitals by the ambulance.
The service would also be provided to the labourers engaged in construction and bricks factories. The national level vaccination programme would also be carried out through the mobile health services.
Currently, there are 426 slums in the BMC region as per official record. The Government has asked ANMs to prepare a list of the types of health services required in the slums.
Apart from providing emergency services, the ambulances would also spread health messages and tips to lead a disease-free life as part of health awareness initiatives.
The authorities hope the mobile health services would also reduce the pressure of the Government hospitals in the city.