Govt to introduce mobile boat clinics

To provide basic healthcare facilities to people living inaccessible islands of Sundarbans, the state Health department is chalking out plans to introduce mobile boat clinics with various modern facilities.

The project aims to provide affordable healthcare services to people living in the inaccessible parts of Sundarbans. Due to their geographical positions, these people suffering from any ailment were unable to come to a health centre for check-ups which often complicated their conditions.

It may be mentioned that the state government had earlier started health camps in boats so that remote areas can be covered. Eye camps were also performed in boats which travel along various islands to conduct check-ups. The eye camps were earlier started in various blocks of South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas along the islands of Sundarbans where cataract surgeries have been performed on patients.

This time around, the Health department have chalked out a plan so that maximum number of villagers can be covered under the new projects and specialised treatments can be provided to them.

It is learnt that boat clinics will be equipped with various modern gadgets to perform various diagnostic tests and check-ups. The boat clinics will also provide immunisations, antenatal care to pregnant women and basic healthcare. According to a preliminary estimate, the state government has a plan to reach the people who cannot make it to a health centre due to financial as well as geographical obstacles.

According to a senior Health department official, a comprehensive plan is being chalked out so that villagers living in the remote islands of the Sundarbans can be provided better health care facilities. Preliminary treatment, checkups can be conducted on patients. If a patient suffers from any critical ailments the Health department will bring them to any of the medical colleges and hospitals in the city for treatment. Specialised doctors will also be available in these boat clinics.

The state government is planning to introduce mobile boat clinics in large scale as it takes a day for many of these people to go to the nearest health care facility. The mobile boat clinic is, therefore, the best way to reach people suffering various ailments in these places.

The main objective of the project is to send healthcare facilities to the inaccessible islands, increase awareness among the people and improve their attitude towards healthcare among the targetted communities, the official said.