By – Raju Vernekar
Dibrugarh, Dec 3
The Oil India (OIL) and Piramal Swasthya Management and Research Institute (PSMRI), have joined hands to launch SPARSHA mobile medical units in under-served areas of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, with initial launch of seven mobile medical vans in Dibrugarh in Assam.
Each van is equipped with two doctors, two nurses and two pharmacists. All the seven vans will conduct 168 camps in a month by providing free health check-ups, lab tests and medicines to the vulnerable population of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Charaideo districts in Assam and Changlang district in Arunachal Pradesh. Non-Communicable diseases and maternal and child health will be the major focus area under this service.
These vans were recently launched by Union Minister of State, Food Processing Industries Rameshwar Teli, along with BJP MLA Rituparna Baruah (Lahowal constituency), in presence OIL ED (HR&A) RK Talukdar, OIL Head (Assam & North East Operations) Hardeep Singh Bambrah and Dibrugarh Deputy Commissioner Pallav Gopal Jha.
According to sources in OIL here, the concept is to provide primary healthcare services to the inaccessible and vulnerable population of the remote OIL operating areas. The health services will be provided right at the door step of the beneficiaries, which would reduce the distance, cost and time. The mobile dispensaries will handle the jobs such as: Clinically diagnose and treat select Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs),chronic diseases and common diseases, to conduct health check-ups, lab tests and dispensing medicines to beneficiaries as deemed necessary via valid prescriptions provided by competent medical officers and to create awareness about the diseases and to hold special flood relief camps.
Each of the seven vans would conduct 24 service camps in a month and the mobilisation of beneficiaries will be facilitated by engaging two field volunteers in each location of service. Given the inaccessibility of primary health services in the remote areas, the SPARSHA Mobile healthcare Service at the beneficiaries’ doorsteps comes as a boon for the needy patients.
During the launch of the vans, Teli said, “I appreciate the efforts being made by OIL to provide healthcare services in its operational areas of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Going by the shortage of doctors in rural and tea garden areas, the SPARSHA project would immensely benefit its covered population. I also acknowledge the contribution by the ”Piramal Swasthya” in running Govt and CSR projects across India including 104 services in Assam. If time permits I will personally visit the camps to have a look at the activities and will also inform the community members through the village and panchayat members to avail this service”.
Talukdar stated, “OIL is extending mobile dispensary services in the remotest parts of its operational areas of Dibrugarh, Tinsukia and Charaideo districts of Assam and Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh where medical services are not readily accessible. We have collaborated with “Piramal Swasthya” to implement the “OIL SPARSHA mobile dispensary project” for the next four years, we will contribute towards the healthcare sector of our region.”
Piramal Swasthya CEO Vishal Phanse, said “India has embarked upon the journey towards “ universal health” and Piramal Swasthya has been contributing to achieve this aim with its experience and expertise. The medical service in Assam and AP, would certainly help in moving the health indicators of the states significantly”.
OIL has been conducting mobile dispensary services in the OIL operational areas in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh through its in-house healthcare team of doctors and paramedics and catering to the primary healthcare needs of poor, free of cost since 1980s. This service has also been supplemented with Project SPARSHA under which mobile health camps are conducted in remote areas, where the primary healthcare is a challenge.
“Piramal Swasthya” is operational in 21 states in India through its 35 innovative public health care programs and it has served over 10.7 crore people till now. It employs over 2500 employees, including nearly 250 doctors, who work with motto of public service. In the last 12 years, its focus has been on influencing policies, governance, and accountability of the public health care system as a knowledge and implementation partner of the NITI Aayog.
Recently, Piramal Foundation partnered with NITI Aayog to transform 25 districts across 7 states in India. It has built partnerships with governments, technology partners and international organizations, including with Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Harvard Graduate School of Education and World Diabetes Foundation. These projects are implemented through “Piramal Swasthya”, “Piramal Sarvajal” and “Piramal Foundation for Education Leadership.
