Mobile Medical Unit

 

Introduction

Access to health care and equitable distribution of health services are the fundamental requirements for achieving the Millennium Development Goals and the goals set under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) launched by the Government of India in April 2005.    Many areas in the Country, predominantly tribal and hilly areas, even in well-developed States, lack basic health care infrastructure limiting access to health services at present.  Over the years, various initiatives have been taken to overcome this difficulty   with   varied   results.   Many   States/NGOs   have   successfully    tried   out operationalizing Mobile Medical Units. Taking health care to the doorsteps is the principle behind this initiative and is intended to reach underserved areas. Under the NRHM,  provision  of  Mobile  Medical  Unit  (MMU)  in  each  District  is  one  of  the strategies to improve access. For North Eastern States, Himachal Pradesh and J&K, due to their difficult hilly terrain, non-approachability by public transport, long distances for reaching the health centres necessitate the need of MMU with specialised facilities for the patients requiring basic specialist examination.  Otherwise, the basic purpose of taking the health care to the door step of the needy people in rural areas would be defeated due to non-possibility of diagnostic examination to be conducted.

The States are expected to address the diversity and ensure the adoption of the most suitable and sustainable model for the MMU to suit their local requirements. States are also required to plan for long term sustainability of the intervention.

Objectives : 

  • To operationalise Mobile Medical Units in every district across the country for improved access to health care services.
  • To make health cares services available in underserved areas.

Type of services to be provided : 

Every Mobile Medical Unit has to provide the following services:- 

  1. Curative.
  2. Reproductive & Child Health Services.
  3. Family Planning Services.
  4. Diagnostic.

Vehicle : 

            Two vehicles which were previously provided for the purpose has since been replaced by one Bolero Camper, along with this a mini bus which was previously provided is still in function.

 

Administrative Aspects :

 

  • Officer-in-charge will be the Chief District Medical Officer at district level, who will be responsible for the operational aspects.
  • The Medical Officer in the Primary Health Centre of the area of the camp will remain available for   the camp.
  • The local Sub Centre staff and members of the Village Health Committee will assist in the camp.
  • Local NGOs will be present for the camp.
  • Fixed day- fixed time will be intimated to all the concerned villages in advance and care should be taken to maintain regularity in these camps as per the schedule.
  • Medical College in the region will also be involved in the referral network. Referrals should be made, based on the case either to PHC, Community Health.
  • Centre, District Hospital or Medical College.
  • Areas to be covered will be decided on the basis of need analysis.

 

Monitoring & Evaluation :

 

Indicators for monitoring and evaluation will be –

 

  1. No. of camps held
  2. Regularity of camps
  3. Patient attendance
  4. Referrals
  5. Antenatal and postnatal checkups
  6. TB, leprosy cases detected.
  7. Improvement in access to services as per evaluation by PRIs.

 

One  of  the  activities  under  National  Rural  Health  Mission  (NRHM)   as approved by the Cabinet is “Support to Mobile Medical Units/ Health Camps with the objective to take health care to the doorsteps of the public in the rural areas, especially in underserved areas”.

 

Achievement During 2021 – 2022

 

S.N

Component

Achievement

1.

No. Of Clinics

2

2.

No. of Patient

304

3.

No. of investigation

75

 

Note : Due to on-going pandemic MMU Staff & Vehicle were utilized for various duties related to COVID-19 pandemic, hence clinics were irregular.