Equitable distribution of health services is no longer a distant vision as Mobile Medical Units and Boat Clinics, launched under the National Rural Health Mission, have made significant advances in taking quality health care to people residing in remote and far-flung areas of Assam.

Mobile Medical Units or MMUs were introduced on the 11th of November, 2007 as a pioneering effort by NRHM to provide accessibility of health services to areas in Assam where there is a lack of even the basic health care infrastructure. As part of the first phase of implementation, MMUs were introduced in the ten districts of Karbi Anglong, Hailakandi, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Nagaon, Dhubri, Kamrup and Jorhat. Further, what deserves special mention is the fact that in this short span of time, these MMUs have been able to make excellent progress in taking health services to the doorsteps of people residing in unserved and uncommutable areas.

In the district of Karbi Anglong, there were 3 health camps organized by the MMUs where free treatment was provided to 1979 patients. In Hailakandi 4 health camps were organized covering 298 patients. Kokrajhar witnessed 36 camps where a total number of 6022 patients were benefited. Lakhimpur saw 2 camps being organized which saw a turnout of 700 patients. Dhemaji too performed well with a total of 1199 patients attending 10 health camps. Tinsukia was by far the most benefited of the districts with 9315 patients attending 37 health camps. Nagaon witnessed a decent turnout of 3106 patients from 15 health camps. Dhubri organized a single health camp where 131 patients attended. Jorhat too had an impressive turnout of 2388 patients from 8 health camps. Along with these, Kamrup will have MMUs operationalised from the first week of coming April. As part of phase 2, however, NRHM plans to operationalise MMUs in the remaining 17 districts of the state, thereby covering the entire state under the scheme of operations.

MMUs or Mobile Medical Units are vehicles equipped with the latest medical equipment and medicines, which allow prompt delivery of health-care services to areas that are remote and far-reached. Each MMU consists of a unit that is equipped with the state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities such as portable X-ray machines, Microscopes, ECG, ultrasound, autoclaves, stretchers, a mobile pharmacy and the like. These units comprise of a vehicle (Mahindra Scorpio) for the staff and two 709 Tata busses with inbuilt OPD, laboratory facility and other essential diagnostic accessories. A generator for power supply is also fitted in each MMU. These specially designed MMUs are complete with two medical officers, two nurses, a lab technician, a radiographer and a pharmacist.

Earlier this year, NRHM had also launched Boat Clinics to reach out to the masses residing in various riverine islands, also known as char areas, of Assam. As part of the first phase these Boat Clinics were introduced in the districts of Morigaon, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh. Since inception these Boat Clinics have conducted 12 camps in Morigaon, where 1800 patients were benefited. In the district of Dhemaji, 1031 patients benefited from 6 health camps. Dhubri recorded an impressive 1742 patients from 9 health camps and Tinsukia 742 from 8 camps. In the district of Dibrugarh, Boat Clinics have existed since March 2006 but have started operationalising under NRHM only since March 2008. Till date Dibrugarh has witnessed 39 camps covering no less than 3300 people.

NRHM had earlier joined hands with an NGO known as Center for North East Studies and Policy Research (C- NES) under a PPP to operationalise these Boat Clinics in the char areas of the state. Each Boat Clinic is fully equipped to provide the following services-

• Immunization of children, including vaccination for Japanese Encephalitis
• Antenatal & Post natal check up
• Referral for complicated pregnancies
• General check ups for preventive and curative care
• Emergency preparedness and response in case of flood situation, relief measures etc.

Successful implementation of Mobile Medical Units and Boat Clinics is imperative to bring remote and far-reached areas of the state on par with the more developed ones, at least where health is concerned. This will not only boost NRHM’s motive to provide ‘health for all’, but also pave way for the socio-economic development of Assam and its people. Furthermore, if the initial figures are something to go by, the health scenario in the char areas of the state is all set to witness a sea change in the days to come.

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