Clinic-on-Wheels expanded across Pindi

Project includes ultrasound and pills for diabetes and blood pressure

RAWALPINDI:

The District Health Authority (DHA) has extended the scope of the Clinic-on-Wheels programme to all tehsils of Rawalpindi district with additional treatment facilities for the citizens.

While earlier, the programme aimed to provide medical facilities for 600,000 citizens, it will now be able to treat 800,000 citizens. The Clinic-on-Wheels, which started with 8 vehicles in the first phase, has now been expanded to 20 vehicles, and has even more potential for further expansion.

Additionally, it will also offer ultrasound and X-ray facilities at primary health centres and diabetes and blood pressure medicines will be available for patients on the mobile clinics.

Initiative has been taken to gradually increase the availability of Clinic-on-Wheels facilities for citizens at places which are closest to their homes. Micro-planning for this initiative has already been started.

Under the extension of the programme, 15 vehicles will continue to work in Rawalpindi district’s tehsil of Rawalpindi, Kahuta, Gujjar Khan, Kallar Sayedan, Taxila and Kotli Sattian. While another five vehicles have been sent to operate in Murree areas.

District Health Officer Dr Naveed Malik said, “Micro-planning to expand the scope of medical care and increase treatment facilities under Clinic-on-Wheels programme will be implemented from July. Moreover, areas which were previously not included in the coverage area, will also be equipped with treatment facilities.

He further said that the option of further the number of Clinic-on-Wheels vehicles has been kept open so that more citizens can benefit from the project. “Now blood pressure and diabetes medicines which were not available earlier will also be provided to those who come for check-up at the Clinic on Wheels,” said Dr Malik.

“Each vehicle of Clinic-on-Wheels will be equipped with medicines and test facilities for various diseases. X-ray and ultrasound facilities are also being arranged at each primary health centre so that these citizens who are mandated to get these tests done can avail the facilities at the nearest clinic,” he further elaborated.