The Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS) mobile clinics aim to provide dental treatment to the poor.
Launched by the National Health Mission (NHM) and the Delhi government in May 2014, six mobile clinics of MAIDS are operational in the national Capital. In the past two years, these mobile clinics have treated 75,000 patients.
The initiative was launched as most dispensaries run by the Delhi government do not have a dental department.
However, these mobile clinics are not able to cater to most of the poor population in the city due to short duty hours and less accessibility. These mobile clinics do not cover all areas of the national Capital.
Of the six mobile clinics, two have two dental surgeons, a hygienist and two support staff. The others have a doctor and a support staff. The mobile clinics operate from 8.30 am to 2.30 pm.
Mainly operational in North-East Delhi, these mobile clinics are popular in areas such as Gokulpuri, Yamuna Vihar, Seelampur, Khajuri Khas and Kanti Nagar. These clinics have also started functioning in areas such as Rani Bagh, Paschim Vihar and Mundka.
Even as there are plans to extend the services to South Delhi and parts of Outer Delhi, the lack of vehicles and staff is a major impediment.
“We are talking to the authorities concerned to expand these mobile clinics to other areas too, but it is going to take some time. At a time when the reach of MAIDS ambulances is less, we are concentrating on areas that have limited dental treatment facilities,” said Dr Vikrant Mohanty, who is the in-charge of MAIDS mobile clinics.
“These mobile clinics cater to Delhi government schools and Nirmal Chhaya, an orphanage,” said Dr Mahesh Verma, director of MAIDS.