The World Bank sponsored Karnataka Health Systems Development & Reforms Project (KHSD&RP) which initiated the Mobile Health Clinics (MHC) is now looking to increase its reach across the state and also recruit the staff to achieve operational efficiency. The programme which is now in its fifth phase is now working to ensure that it will be able to target the patient population on time and also help prevent fatalities.
Total number of camps conducted are 62,669 and a total of 23,05,322 patients have benefited from this initiative through its I-V phase programmes.
The KHSD&RP has funded MHC since 2007 under its Service Improvement Challenge Fund (SICF). The details of the funding were not made available. Consultant non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were selected to run the programme and through biennial open ended contracts.
MHC has considerably benefited the poor in remote, hilly, forest, tribal and inaccessible areas. It has helped to achieve an outpatient attendance per one lakh target population, move obstetric and other emergencies moved to referral centers, detect a high number of TB suspects, stated officials.
Investment in primary health care reforms can transform health systems and improve the health of individuals, families and communities everywhere: MHC service is a need and performance-based, innovative Public-Private Partnership programme designed to take quality healthcare delivery to the doorsteps of the vulnerable sections of the population in remote and inaccessible areas of Karnataka with poor communication facilities, inadequately served by the public health facilities like the primary health centres (PHCs), added the officials.
It has helped to create an awareness among community regarding communicable and non-communicable diseases, prevention, and encourage the private sector in providing qualified essential health care to rural communities.
Each mobile clinic covers an area depending on terrain and has service points in strategic villages right through the year. The Taluk Health Officers have also identified 10 priority villages where Primary Health Care services should be provided on a weekly basis. The mobile unit visits each identified service points on a fixed day of the week and provide health services to the population in the catchment area from 9 am to 5 pm free of cost.
Each vehicle is equipped with oxygen cylinder, IV lifelines, stretcher, emergency drugs apart from other medicines and is manned by a doctor two nurses/ANM with diploma in nursing and a pharmacist.
In phase - I, five Mobile Health Clinics were operationalised at Sagar, Tarikere, Chamarajanagar, Kollegal, and Kumta taluks from June 2008. In phase II, 14 MHCs were introduced in March 2009 at Thirthahalli, Hunsur, Bailahongal, Raibagh, Badami, Siddapura, Mundgod, Sira, Khanapur, Joida, Dandeli, Bhalki, Anekal and Bagepalli Taluks.
In phase III, 13 Mobile Health Clinics were pressed into service in March 2010 at Kanakapura, Pavagada, N.R.Pura, Somvarpet, Bhatkal, Hukkeri, Saundatti, Chikkodi, Humnabad, Siruguppa, Chincholi, Yelburga and Sindhanur taluks 2010. In phase IV, 35 MHCs were operational in July 2010 at Magadi, Hiriyur, Holalkere, Challakere, Channagiri, Honnali, Jagalur, Mulbhagal, Gudibande, Gouribidnur, Koratagere, C N Halli, Kunigal, Madhugiri, Gubbi, Turuvekere, Kadur, Arkalgud, Hirekerur, Malavalli, K R Pete, T Narasipura, Nanjangud, Gokak, Savanur, Shiggaon, Hungund, Muddebihal, B Bagewadi, Hadagali, Sedam, Yadgir, Jewargi, Raichur and Lingsugur taluks.
In phase V, MHCs were introduced from 20 October 2011 at 30 taluks covered Hosadurga, Challakere, Holalkere, Shidlaghatta, Gowribidanur, Shikaripura, Puttur, Belur, Karkala, Khanapur, Saundatti, Ramdurga, Bailahongal, Kundgol, Rona, Shirahatti, Naragund, Jhamakhandi, Mudhol, Bilagi, Haliyala, Ankola, H B Halli, Hospet, Bhalki, Chittapur, Afzalpur, Manvi, Devadurga and Shorapur.