SMILE FOUNDATION launched 'SMILE ON WHEELS', its national level multi-centric mobile hospital programme in New Delhi on June 19, 2006. Ms. Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Govt. of NCT of Delhi inaugurated the programme and handed over the keys to various partner organizations of Smile Foundation. She also flagged off the mobile vans at Delhi Secretariat.

Five vans were flagged off in the first phase of Smile-on-Wheels with projected health coverage for 7.5 lakhs people in 249 identified villages across five Indian states. Five partner NGOs received the vans, who come from as many states such as Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh and Maharasthra.

The five NGO's 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 governmental health services exist. The van will cover the vicinity of 20-50 kms from its center and will visit 2-3 villages a day on a regular basis.

Ms. Sheila Dikshit said, "This is a very ambitious and wonderful project which is going to benefit children and women in the outreach areas. I would congratulate Smile Foundation for that." She added, "Consistent follow-up and concentration in a particular are necessary in health programmes which would hopefully make this programme a success."

Smile Foundation launched the programme as part of its endeavour to introduce healthcare awareness and contemporary health care services seeking behavior among the rural masses and the underprivileged. The Chief Guest, Ms. Sheila Dikshit, inaugurated the "Smile on Wheels" and handed over the keys of five full fledged equipped healthcare vans to five NGO's, which was followed by flagging off ceremony.

Under this programme, Smile's aim is to run a fleet of 30 fully equipped mobile medical vans in collaboration with NGO's and local administration in the next two years, reaching out to over 35-40 lakh beneficiaries.

Smile-on-Wheels a mega project launched by Smile Foundation - aims to take comprehensive health care services (preventive, promotive and curative) to rural remote villages and will reach out to the most underprivileged but needy people across the country. The project intends to bring medical expertise from nearby urban centres/ cities to the rural areas and urban slums.

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.

Children and Women's health is one of Smile's prime concerns. A referral service network for them also needs to be developed. Education and counseling on Health and hygiene, Family planning promotion with emphasis on condom usage for safe sex, spacing methods would also be imparted. The programme would also ensure organising regular health camps, including minor surgical interventions.