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BREADS Supported Mobile Clinic Saves Lives

9 October 2024

- Bangalore Correspondent

On the way to Jambagi village in Bidar, North Karnataka, for their field visit, the Don Bosco Centre for Social Action and Movement team chanced upon an accident in Kandgoal involving three individuals from Soraly village. The victims had been informed that the ambulance would take an hour to reach the spot. Understanding the urgency, the medical team quickly provided first aid to the injured and transported them to the Brims Hospital in Bidar for additional treatment.

Thanks to the team’s prompt response, the injured could access the medical treatment they required as soon as possible. As they left the hospital, the accident victims expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Mobile Clinic team, praising their efforts and commitment to serving the community.

As health services are very hard to access in certain parts of rural Karnataka, the Bangalore Rural Educational And Development Society [BREADS]-supported mobile clinics in Bidar, Kalaburagi, Davanagere, and Devadurga in Raichur districts are a respite to the needy; currently reaching 85 remote underserved villages and tandas with primary community health services. Each month, 600-1000 sick individuals benefit from this initiative in each district. Medical camps are organised in collaboration with Primary Health Centre (PHC) centres and taluk-level hospitals. Advocacy is a key component, promoting government health services and educating villagers about public health care options. These efforts raise awareness of government services for prenatal and postnatal care, free vaccination and immunisation programmes, nutrition support for malnourished children and adolescent health support. As a result, communities are better empowered to seek proper medical care rather than resorting to superstitious practices. The impact of this initiative on the lives of the villagers is profound, making it a cause worth supporting.

Health education promotes awareness of disease prevention, the importance of personal hygiene, and clean surroundings. It also raises awareness about HIV/ AIDS and the impact of addictive habits in the community. But what truly makes this initiative special is the involvement of local volunteers from the villages. They are trained to be paramedics to assist the Mobile Clinic team and the villagers. They also play a crucial role in contacting the team in emergencies, making them an integral part of the community's health care system.