Physical Health India Project #27985

Take Healthcare to 6000 Poor in Bangalore District

by Bangalore Baptist Hospital Society

Summary

This project takes healthcare to the doorstep through a mobile van to 6000 poor and vulnerable persons annually, living in 13 rural villages and 12 slums in Bangalore District, India. "Smile on Wheels" provides access to comprehensive, affordable quality medical care to women, children, the elderly and persons with disability. A van equipped with diagnostic and therapeutic facilities with a team of doctors, nurses, a pharmacist and laboratory technician, take healthcare to these communities.

$50,000
total goal

$21,267
remaining

129
donors

1
monthly donor

3
years

Challenge

Women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities have difficulty in accessing healthcare. Distances to medical facilities coupled with high costs often exclude a large number of them. Socio-cultural barriers (traditions, customs, patriarchal society) makes it difficult for women to avail healthcare when they need to. The elderly are often neglected and left to fend for themselves. By taking healthcare to the doorstep of 6000 persons, we aim to save them from serious illness and death

Solution

By taking healthcare to their doorstep, women, children, the elderly and the differently-abled are able to receive good quality, ethical, medical care at affordable cost. By using a mobile van with diagnostic facilities (laboratory & ECG), we are able to carry out basic tests that assists doctors in diagnosis. Using the TV in the van, we are able to create awareness about prevention of illness. Persons needing further care are referred to hospital, enabling them to receive specialized care.

Long-Term Impact

Every year 6000 women, children, elderly and differently-abled will be able to receive much needed healthcare close to their homes at affordable cost. Simple conditions in women such as anemia, reproductive health illness will be treated. 540 elderly persons will receive sight through cataract surgery by screening them at the mobile clinic. 360 elderly persons will receive medicines for diabetes and/or hypertension every month. 1400 children will receive healthcare to grow into healthy adults.