COMPREHENSIVE AND AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE AT DOORSTEP
OBJECTIVE
To deliver comprehensive healthcare services to the community, ensuring convenient, accessible, and affordable care from pickup to drop-off, thus enhancing community health and providing extended clinical training for medical students.
CONTEXT
Healthcare accessibility at an affordable cost is a significant challenge for marginalized populations. The institution strives to address this by offering seamless healthcare delivery at manageable prices, including free transportation to and from the medical facility. This initiative not only ensures continuous and comprehensive care for underserved populations but also offers extended clinical training for medical students.
THE PRACTICE
- Transportation
Provide a fleet of well-equipped vehicles to transport patients to and from healthcare facilities, ensuring timely access to medical appointments.
Employ trained drivers and healthcare assistants to support patients during transit, especially those with mobility issues or chronic conditions.
- Hospital Services
Offer affordable inpatient and outpatient services.
Provide insurance schemes inclusive of antenatal and postnatal care.
Serve complimentary nutritious meals for inpatients.
Dispense free medications at the pharmacy.
Conduct cost-effective diagnostics, including the city’s lowest-cost CT, USG, and MRI services; a standout feature.
iii. Community Engagement and Education
Establish satellite urban and rural health centres staffed with healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and medical students, to offer free consultations, diagnostics, minor treatments, and referrals, thus serve as hubs for family welfare, primary and preventive care.
Deploy mobile health clinic equipped with essential medical supplies and diagnostic tools to reach remote or underserved areas, offering on-site medical care, health education, and preventive services.
Provide primary care services for acute and chronic conditions, mental health support, maternal and child health.
Focus on preventive care through regular health screening camps, vaccinations, and education on healthy lifestyles.
- Student Training and Involvement
Integrate healthcare provision model into the medical curriculum, offering students hands-on experience in community and patient care.
- Monitoring and Evaluation
Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation system to track service effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and health outcomes and strive continuous improvement.
EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS
Enhanced patient flow with a 12% increase in outpatients and a 15% increase in inpatients.
An average of 500 to 600 patients receiving free food per month and numerous free prescriptions dispensed daily at the pharmacy.
Improved access to healthcare services for underserved populations around rural and urban health centres, evidenced by increased patient care census and better health outcomes.
Positive feedback from patients and the community about the convenience and quality of healthcare services.
Enhanced clinical skills and community engagement among medical students, contributing to their professional development.
Successful partnerships with local organizations and stakeholders, ensuring program sustainability and scalability.
CHALLENGES FACED
Ensuring consistent funding and resources to maintain transportation services and healthcare facilities.
Addressing logistical challenges related to scheduling and managing transportation for large numbers of patients.
Continuously updating medical supplies and technology to meet evolving healthcare needs.
RESOURCES REQUIRED
A fleet of well-equipped transportation vehicles.
Fully staffed community health centres and mobile health clinic.
Funding for operational costs, medical supplies, and staffing.
Partnerships with local healthcare providers and community organizations.
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