The 'wheels' continue to treat people

The mobile hospital unit which was started by Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade in the year 1974, to provide health care to the rural population, is completing its 28th year this year.

The main objective of the mobile unit is to reach the interior villages like Patrame, Didupe, Neriya and Naravi to provide them with health care information, bring awareness about health care and offer them the primary health service.

The unit diagnoses the patients and treats them free of cost. As many as 25,556 patients in Belthangady, Puttur, Sullia and Karkal taluks have been treated this year alone.

The mobile hospital unit also organises health camps in association with other organisations and gram panchayats in three villages within 40 km radius.

 The unit travels throughout for about two months, for three days in a week. The aid is provided from 9 am to 4 pm. On an average, 5,000 people are treated in a month and Dharmasthala Trust spends around Rs 10 lakh a year for the purpose which includes the payment to the staff, medical expenses etc. 

The unit also has been trying to bring health awareness among the rural population in the form of pamphlets, media publications, street shows etc. The unit has proved to be a boon for the rural people who are otherwise deprived of medical facilities.

 Dr K S Jagadeesh has served as the Chief Medical Officer during the initial days and the post is now handled by Dr Narayan Prabhu.