Mobile clinics spotlight rural health challenges

DHA completes first phase of ‘Clinic-on-Wheels’

RAWALPINDI:

The District Health Authority (DHA) has completed the first phase of the project, Clinic-on-Wheels, which aims to provide free medical consultation and treatment services to the women and children belonging to impoverished households within the rural regions of Rawalpindi, right at their doorsteps.

According to sources, with the competition of the first phase of the project, which also offers free family planning services to women belonging to low-income backgrounds, it came to light that the economically challenged women faced severe health problems.

During the first phase, a total of 14,628 women and children were enrolled under the DHA’s Clinic-on-Wheels project. Of these, 9,632 received medical examination and treatment services in the outpatient department (OPD), while 1,793 women were examined during pregnancy. Additionally, 178 postpartum women and their newborns sought medical attention at the Clinic-on-Wheels.

The examinations revealed health problems, particularly cases of anaemia due to the unavailability of quality and essential foods among women and children. The Clinic-on-Wheels addressed 1,797 family planning cases, imparting knowledge on topics such as “fewer children, prosperous family,” “healthy mother, healthy children,” and promoting a “short family for a quality life and education.”

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Further, family planning methods were explained to both men and women, emphasising successful life planning.

Furthermore, the Clinic-on-Wheels administered vaccinations to 1,205 individuals for disease prevention, and a nutritionist assessed the growth and body structure of children. Those facing physical weaknesses due to insufficient nutrition were provided with food supplements.

Reflecting on the project, DHA Chief Executive Officer Dr Ijaz Ahmed stated that the first phase, conducted from December 19, 2023, to January 1, 2024, was completed, focusing on various Union Councils in Rawalpindi tehsil.

He added that “the Punjab health secretary has directed the initiation of the second phase, extending the Clinic-on-Wheels services to areas where middle and low-income families reside, utilising seven vehicles for the outreach.”

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Dr Ahmed said the comprehensive report compiled in the first phase of the project made it clear that it was very important to start this project.

Besides medical treatment, the Clinic-on-Wheels service undertakes awareness programmes for polio vaccination and prevention of dengue and epidemic diseases.

Under the pilot project, the initiative was first launched in the rural areas of Rawalpindi tehsil. After its completion, the service will now be extended to rural areas of the other six tehsils in the district. The DHA has prepared the project under the guidance of provincial health minister Dr Jamal Nasir and Punjab health secretary.

As part of the initiative, each vehicle has a male doctor and female doctor, a nutrition officer, family planning staff, and laboratory test staff and is equipped with essential medicines.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2024.