Mobile health clinics bring free care to Pune’s underserved slums
In Pune, mobile health clinics are making a significant difference in the lives of residents in underserved areas, providing them with easy access to essential medical care without having to travel long distances or miss a day of work. Non-governmental organisations are behind this initiative, which aims to deliver consultations, basic diagnostic tests, and free medication to communities that often face barriers in seeking timely medical attention due to factors like distance, work schedules, and treatment costs.
Regular visits to convenient locations
Residents of Laxminagar in Yerawada can take advantage of a mobile outpatient department (OPD) operated by the Smile Foundation, which is stationed at a familiar and easily accessible location. These vans follow a regular schedule, visiting the same locations twice a month, allowing patients to plan their consultations around their work and other commitments.
For many residents, visiting the nearest public healthcare facility, such as the Rajiv Gandhi Maternity Hospital, which is run by the Pune Municipal Corporation, can be inconvenient due to its location and restricted operating hours. The hospital is about 30 minutes away, and its limited hours of operation can make it difficult for people who work irregular shifts or are daily-wage earners to access care.
Full health services
The mobile health clinics offer a range of services beyond routine consultations, including basic blood tests, eye screenings, antenatal care, and screenings for vector-borne and water-borne diseases. Patients who require more specialised care or further treatment are referred to government or charitable hospitals for additional support.
According to the general manager for health initiatives and disaster response at the Smile Foundation, the organisation operates three vans in Pune daily, which screen an average of 90 patients. The foundation estimates that its mobile clinics conduct around 4,500 patient screenings every month in the city, with a broader network operating across most districts of Maharashtra.
The primary goal of the mobile OPD is to enhance preventive healthcare and raise awareness within the community, according to the general manager of programmes (health initiatives and disaster response) at the foundation. The mobile clinics do not provide specialised testing, but their doctors offer clinical diagnoses and refer patients to the nearest government or charitable hospitals when necessary.
The organisation is actively working to screen for vector-borne and water-borne diseases, while also providing essential antenatal care. The foundation’s robust database enables it to provide real-time inputs to the government healthcare system, allowing for targeted interventions. As a result, the organisation has significantly reduced out-of-pocket expenses for patients, helped them manage chronic conditions more effectively, and alleviated some of the pressure on public hospitals.
