Boat Clinics Offer Healthcare For Stranded Assamese

Assam is annually affected by floods and many villages are cut off. In order to offer better healthcare options for those marooned the state government launched the boat clinics.

The Brahmaputra River makes its way 760 kms through Assam creating a vast network of islands. It is estimated that 2.5 million people live on over 2,500 islands. The floating clinics are their lifeline.

The boat clinics have life saving medicines, a laboratory and other medical equipments besides a doctor and nurses.

"We are getting a very good response as people residing here need medical facilities and care. We always witness huge crowd whenever we set up a camp in any village. We conduct routine checkups for pregnant women, immunization of children and provide medical care for all other patients," said Dr. Barman.

The boat clinics are an initiative of the Center for North East Studies and Policy Research (CNES) and are supported by Unicef and the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

Waterborne Disease
Interactive section of Medindia gives details regarding waterborne disease

There are 15 such boat clinics in Assam that cover 13 districts.

The medical staff also holds interactive sessions with villagers, especially women and children, to create awareness about sanitation, population control and the need for vaccination.

Typhoid and Paratyphoid Enteric Fevers
Typhoid and Paratyphoid Enteric Fevers are caused by bacteria called Salmonella typhi. Causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of Typhoid and Paratyphoid Enteric Fevers are discussed.

"They give us free medicines and prescriptions. They conduct awareness camps about sanitation and nutrition," a local resident Mohammad said.

"If we go to a hospital then we have to travel far, but since the doctors come here we don't have to do that. This saves us traveling costs, other expenses and the cost of medicines. It is a very good initiative, but we urge the government to set up a hospital here," said another resident Kusum.

Leptospirosis - Causes - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQs - Reference
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by the Leptospira bacteria. It is also known as Weil's disease, after the one who first recognized the disease.

The boat clinics, which started in 2005, play a vital role in reaching out to people who lack basic healthcare facilities.

The government is working to strengthen healthcare facilities in the state by promoting public private partnership (PPP) and plans to initiate more such initiatives to reach out to the people.

Source-ANI