The Hinduja Hospital, founded way back in 1951, has launched the 'Serve with Passion' mobile vans, as part of its Rural Healthcare Programme, that aims to reach out to those families in the remote areas that cannot get medical help at close proximity. With a generous contribution from Ashok Leyland and Hinduja Foundation, Hinduja Hospital intends to spread its wings on wheels.

The programme is spearheaded by Usha Raheja, Board Member, Hinduja Hospital and a key person at the nerve of all the charitable initiatives at Hinduja Hospital. Speaking about the need of Rural Healthcare Programme, Usha Raheja, said, “The disparity in health facilities, even in areas close to large cities, like Mumbai, is appalling. The consequences of illness are often debilitating both physically and economically. Certain remote villages do not even have basic medicines. The mission of Hinduja Hospital's Rural Health Program is to help in early detection of illness or better still prevention through health awareness.”

Dr R A Bhalerao, director, Strategy and Medical Planing, Hinduja Hospital, said, “The mobile van will be carrying a medical officer, nurse, lab technician and radiology technician. We are looking at treatment of minor ailments; detection and treatment of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cataract cases; early detection of TB, malaria, leprosy and other locally endemic communicable and non communicable; minor surgical procedures and suturing; treatment for malnutrition, vitamin deficiency related diseases, scabies and de-worming etc.”

Pramod Lele, CEO, Hinduja Hospital, said, “The initiative will commence at Jawahar. The hospital will eventually target around 50 smaller villages in the vicinity. We will held awareness and knowledge sharing session for the target group and also develop self help group in each areas for better outcome. It shall have a facility of an LCD screen to aid patient education programmes. Estimated cost of mobile van is estimated at Rs. 15 lakh per month. The van will visit one day at one location and revisit the place once in a week. Under this program the initial target is expected to meet nearly 4000 people from each village.”

The 'Serve with Passion' mobile units comprise of sets of customized mobile vans – big (advanced health unit) and small (basic health unit). The Advanced Health Unit is currently equipped with investigative facilities such as X-Rays, Lab facilities complete with medical and paramedical staff. Minor procedures like suturing will also be possible. The doctors will not only dispense free medicines but also be a part of the team that will actively spread health and hygiene education through audio visual and personal interactions. The Basic Mobile Health Units will go further into the interiors to help and move the patients, if required.

On the future plan of the program, Usha Raheja said, “It is the desire of the Hinduja Hospital team to expand this project in order to help as many as possible in the rural areas. We believe that this colossal task of providing accessibility to quality healthcare can only be achieved through its, time-tested, value “Partnership for Growth.”