Clinic-on-Wheels gathers speed

The number of vehicles for the "Clinic-on-Wheels" project in Rawalpindi has increased from seven to 20 to provide free medical treatment at the doorsteps of citizens.

In the first phase of the Chief Minister Initiative Programme, this initiative caters to the needs of urban union councils where a significant population of poor and middle-class families reside.

So far, 0.2 million out of the targeted 0.6 million people have received health coverage through the Clinic-on-Wheels project, which includes free tests, medical check-ups, and the supply of medicines.

This initiative comes in response to the limited treatment facilities available at government dispensaries managed by the District Health Authority. Therefore, the Clinic-on-Wheels project has been expanded in Rawalpindi district, similar to the rest of Punjab. Initially, only seven vehicles were operational in Rawalpindi, but now 15 vehicles have been provided for the Clinic-on-Wheels project, with an additional five vehicles dedicated to Murree.

The project, supervised by District Health Officer Dr Naveed Malik, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Junaid Ahmed, and Team Leader Arsalan, has started with 20 camps in several urban union councils of Rawalpindi, including Dhaman Syedan, Kalyal, Morgah, Kotha Kalan, Dhok Naju, Dhok Hassu, Fauji Colony, Chah Sultan, Chak Jalal Din, Dhok Munshi, and others such as Gangal and Khanna Dak.

The project aims to provide free-of-charge health coverage to 0.6 million people, offering essential tests, family planning services, check-ups for pregnant women, blood count tests, hepatitis B and C screenings, pregnancy tests, and tests for sugar and blood pressure. Additionally, four vehicles are equipped with ultrasound facilities.

Each clinic-on-wheels unit comprises a doctor, a lady doctor, a nurse, a vaccinator, a dispenser, and a team leader. These mobile clinics also conduct blood screenings for young children and run special awareness programmes for family planning, offering necessary equipment for all family planning services.

Dr Naveed Malik emphasised that increasing the number of vehicles for the Clinic-on-Wheels project from seven to 20 will significantly enhance the provision of healthcare services at citizens' doorsteps. He said that 0.2 million people have already benefited from this programme.

"Our goal is to provide free tests and medicines to everyone who visits the Clinic-on-Wheels and to educate them on leading a healthy life," said Dr Malik. "Through healthcare guidelines, we aim to protect citizens from diseases and enable them to live healthier lives."

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2024.