RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Wednesday, December 31 flagged-off 57 Mobile Medical Units which are set to provide health benefits to the citizens of far-fledged remote Vananchal (densely forested) regions of the state especially to those belonging to the Particular Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG).
These Mobile Medical Units launched under the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), a Union Government initiative aimed at social and economic upliftment of the PVGT community are each staffed with a doctor, nurse, laboratory technician, pharmacist and local health volunteers, said the government in an official release.
These MMUs will offer more than 25 types of diagnostic tests, treatment for various ailments and distribution of essential medicines of 106 types by organising camp on a fortnight gap. Serious patients, the government said will be referred to the nearest health institutions as required.
The initiative, according to the government will ensure regular health coverage for around 2 lakh people of the PVTG community residing across 2100 villages of 18 districts. This will reduce the difficulties faced by the community members who earlier lacked comfortable access to health benefits. These mobile units will also help in early detection and prevention of diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, anaemia and malnutrition.
Calling it a proud day for the state, CM Vishnu Deo Sai said that families living in hilly and inaccessible regions will now have access to medical examination and treatment facilities within their own villages.
“It is a strong foundation for comprehensive participation and health security of tribal communities,” he said.
The CM noted that the most socially, economically and educationally marginalized sections of society belong to the PVTG and these mobile units will prove to be a boon for them. “Through these 57 fully equipped MMUs, healthcare delivery in such areas will become significantly easier ,” said CM Sai.
Notably, the state has a population of around 2.30 lakhs people belonging to the PVTG who largely resides in around 2100 villages of 18 districts.
PM-JANMAN scheme
Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2023, the PM-JANMAN scheme is aimed at social and economic development of 75 PVTGs, residing largely in hilly and inaccessible regions of the country.
The Government through the initiative aims to provide basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, electrification of unelectrified households and sustainable livelihood opportunities for the PVTGs residing across 18 states and one UT.
The scheme has a total budgetary outlay of Rs 24104 crores with the Union Government contributing approx. Rs 15300 crore, while the rest of the contributions are made by respective state governments. The initiative is expected to greatly benefit the most socially and economically marginalised tribal communities in the country.
