Arunachal gets 32 medical units on wheels under NRHM

Itanagar, Nov 07 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu today flagged off 32 vehicles to function as Mobile Medical Units (MMU) in 16 districts of the state from this month under the Centre-sponsored National Rural Health Mission (NHRM).

NHRM Director Dr T Basar said the vehicles, purchased at a cost of Rs 2.23 crore, well-equipped with latest medical facilities, would provide equitable primary care services, besides catering to the people's health needs and family welfare services, including general curative services.

It would also accelerate immunisation sevices, particularly for the poor and disadvantaged communities in a cost-effective manner, Mr Basar added.

He said the state government, under the mission, would procure 14 more vehicles at an estimated cost of Rs three crore, which would contain sophisticated equipment, including mini X-Ray and ECG machine, and function as mobile hospitals.

The MMUs would remain in force till March, 2012, or till its renewal through mutual agreement between the State Health Services (SHS) and District Health Services (DHS).

The overall responsibility of operationalising the MMUs in the districts would rest with the Deputy Commissioner, being the chairperson of the DHS, and would be under the direct control of the District Medical Officer (DMO).

The manpower for operating the MMUs would be made available from the state government employees and the DHS would arrange a team of skilled manpower under the control of the DMO.

It would comprise two medical officers, including one lady officer, one staff nurse, two auxiliary nursing maids (ANMs), one laboratory technician, one pharmacist, three grade IV staff, three drivers, a radiologist or an X-Ray technician, besides specialists in Obstetrics, Gynaecology, Paediatrics and a general physician, on requirement basis.

The MMU would also provide focused services, including referral of all the complicated cases, detection of tuberculosis, Malaria, Leprosy, Diarrhoea, Typhoid, and detection of non-communicable diseases, including hypertension and minor surgeries, besides making specialist services available as required.

UNI