Bhubaneswar, 19th November 2013: The Mobile Health Units (MHU) have proved to be pivotal in the health delivery system of Odisha. In 2012-13, MHUs have been able to treat 70 lakh 79 thousand 542 patients in 11,533 points all over our State.
1,53,062 no. of diagnostic tests have been conducted in MHUs. 36,149 no. of suspected malaria patients have been treated in MHUs. 9,952 persons suspected with cataract have been referred to hospitals by MHUs. 847 patients have been detected to be suffering from leprosy by MHUs. 5,776 persons suspected with tuberculosis have been referred to hospitals by MHUs.
Mobile health service is designed as an alternative model of rural health care delivery for a specified interior area which includes earmarked team of health professionals with supporting equipments & drugs. It is envisaged to provide preventive, promotive & curative health services in the inaccessible areas & difficult terrains which are un-served / underserved under usual circumstances.
354 MHUs are operational in 28 districts out of NRHM and State Budget. However, 240 MHUs running out of NRHM are merged under RBSK from November 2013. Out of 114 Additional MHUs are operational under State Budget namely, “Swasthya Sanjog ” in all tribal blocks to ensure at least 2 MHUs per block. Ambulance boats are operational in cut-off reservoir areas of Malkangiri & Kalahandi districts. In difficult villages of Malkangiri and Nuapada districts, MHU visits are conducted even on motor cycles.
MHU Team comprises of Doctor, Pharmacist, MPHW (F), Attendant as team members. Mobile Medical Vans with medical team visit villages on fixed day fixed time on fortnight basis. The minimum duration of their field visits is 20 days in a month. Each treatment point is to be covered twice in a month. Village located at least 2 kms away from any functional public health institutions will only be covered. Maximum 2 sessions (Morning & Afternoon ) in each day are to be conducted. Each Session must not be less than 2 hours. School clinics are also to be considered as treatment points. Fixed day fixed time field visit schedule is being prepared much before. In most difficult areas, health teams visit periodically.
In Mayurbhanj district, 52 MHUs have been operational. This is the highest no. of MHUs in a district. In Sundargarh district, 34 MHUs have been operational. An equal no. of MHUs (28 in each district) have been operating both in Koraput and Bolangir districts. In Kalahandi district, 26 MHUs have been operational.
In Kandhamal district, 24 MHUs have been operational. In Rayagada district, 22 MHUs have been operational. In Malkangiri district, 21 MHUs have been operational. In Keonjhar and Nawarangpur districts, 20 MHUs (in each dist.) have been operational. In Gajapati district, 14 MHUs have been operational. Among all districts, only Cuttack and Kendrapada districts do not have a MHU.
