Smile on Wheels in Chhattisgarh

Programme: Smile on Wheels
Partner Organization: Berojgar Mahila Sewa Samiti [BMSS]

Smile Foundation and one of its partners Berojgar Mahila Sewa Samiti [BMSS] have been reaching out to the outreach population in Chhattisgarh with Smile on Wheels – the national level mobile hospital programme. Chhattisgarh is one of the five states where the first phase of the mobile health care programme has been launched.

Smile Foundation has been carrying out the programme in Chhattisgarh state as part of its endeavor to introduce healthcare awareness and contemporary health services for the rural masses and the underprivileged people who have been caught off by regular services.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh flagged off Smile on Wheels and welcomed Smile Foundation’s mobile healthcare initiative in the state. The Chief Minister has also assured the joint endeavour for any help on behalf of the Government of Chhattisgarh so that the needy beneficiaries received the benefits effectively.

Berojgar Mahila Sewa Samiti [BMSS], the local partner, is one of the leading grassroots organizations in the country working in the Chhattisgarh for a long time.

The services provided are OPD, Ante-natal/post-natal services, identification of difficult pregnancy and referral for institutional care, Immunization- Mother & Children, Minor Surgery, BP Examination, X-ray, ECG, First Aid, Distribution of Iron Folic Tablets, Vit-A Prophylaxis, Treatment of mal-nutrient cases, etc.

Health care for Children and Women are among Smile's prime concerns and the find a priority in the mobile health care services too. A referral service network for the beneficiaries is going to be developed so that they can get long term and complete health care services. Education and counseling on health and hygiene, family planning promotion with emphasis on condom usage for safe sex, spacing methods would also be imparted are part of the programme. The programme would also ensure organising regular health camps, including minor surgical interventions, in the areas covered.

Smile Foundation launched five Smile on Wheels programme in five Indian states in the first phase. Twenty five more such mobile hospitals are projected to be introduced across India in coming one year. The five organizations who have joined hands under this novel programme in first phase are Sevadham Trust (Pune, Maharashtra), Berojgar Mahila Sewa Samiti (Bhilai, Chhattisgarh), Orissa Institute of Medical Research and Health Services (Cuttack, Orissa), Ambuja Cement Foundation (Roorkee, Uttaranchal), and Suraj Hospital (Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh). These NGO's will access deserving villages where no effective health care services are available. Each mobile hospital van will cover the vicinity of 20-50 kms from its center and will visit 2-3 villages a day on a regular basis