Sundargarh Admin’s MMV Service Ensures Last Mile Healthcare Delivery

Rourkela: The Mobile Medical Van (MMV) service has become an innovative solution by the Sundargarh administration to ensure last mile healthcare crossing various geographical barriers in the district.

The programme initiated by the district administration, since 1st April 2017, has extended free healthcare services to over 15.60 Lakh beneficiaries at rural areas by September 2021.

The MMV has been playing a supplementary role in the COVID vaccination programme of Sundargarh District. This moving health facility enables last mile delivery by reaching out to the people at remote areas. Over 44 thousand people have been vaccinated through MMVs at 10 blocks and various slum areas of Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) by October 2021, according to the district administration.

COVID vaccination centres have been set up across the district to cover maximum number of people. Beneficiaries of ages 18-44 and above 45 years register themselves on the CoWIN platform and book their slots for vaccination. To further expand the coverage, the 25 MMVs which are deployed across 17 blocks of the district for doorstep healthcare of the rural population, have been assigned the added responsibility of COVID Vaccination.

The service is especially beneficial for people who are unable to reach the vaccination centre or are unable to register themselves on the digital platform. So, PwDs, elderly, and women along with other beneficiaries from rural areas are getting vaccinated through MMV teams. The teams set up temporary vaccination camps at various public places like schools, community halls etc.

“I couldn’t reach the vaccination centre as it was away from my village. I am so happy that COVID vaccine is given by setting up camps in our village. I have been vaccinated here”, says Parbati Murmu, a youth beneficiary from Tangarpali Village under Bisra Block in Sundargarh.

From April 2021, the MMVs have reached various Gram Panchayats and Villages in Koira, Rajgangpur, Lephripara, Lahunipara, Bonai, Nuagaon, Kuarmunda, Sundargarh Sadar, Subdega, and Bisra blocks along with various slum areas under RMC on COVID Vaccination drive. The ASHA and Anganwadi workers inform local people on the vaccination session scheduled by each MMV.

“Apart from providing healthcare at rural areas regularly, we hold camps at different places for COVID vaccination. It helps those take the jab who are unable to reach the designated vaccination centres. I along with the pharmacist, ANM and driver of the MMV and a data entry operator take care of smooth management at the session sites,” informs Dr. Janmejay Patra, a doctor leading an MMV team.

A fleet of 25 MMVs is engaged across 17 blocks with the financial support of District Mineral Foundation (DMF).
Each MMV has a doctor, ANM and Pharmacist. Free treatment with other tests has been provided to the beneficiaries. In critical cases the patients are referred to the nearest hospital. MMV team also emphasizes on treatment of pregnant women and children.