Shillong: Three mobile medical units aimed at bringing primary and preventive healthcare services to 93 “last-mile” villages across Mawpat, Pynursla and Baghmara were launched by CM Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday.The healthcare units are expected to serve a population of more than 2 lakh people. Of the 93 villages identified for coverage, 45 are in Mawpat and 26 in Pynursla, both in East Khasi Hills, while 22 are in Baghmara in South Garo Hills district.With doctors and trained medical personnel on board, the medical units will provide consultations, basic diagnostic services, medicines, follow-up care and technology-enabled electronic medical record services at the community level.Patients requiring further investigation or specialised treatment will be referred to higher healthcare facilities.The programme will place particular emphasis on the screening and management of non-communicable diseases, along with health education and early detection. Cancer screening and vision health services will also be provided based on community needs.“While infrastructure and GDP are important, it is meaningless if the benefits cannot reach every citizen. That is why health and education have been given top priority,” Sangma said.He said improving access to healthcare had been among the govt’s top priorities. Technology had played an important role in the govt’s efforts to address gaps in the health and education sectors, he added.Sangma said the success of the mobile medical units would depend on their ability to deliver services to patients, not merely on their launch.“Launching the ambulance is the easiest part. The real happiness will come when we save lives and are able to provide medicine to the child, when we are able to attend to the poor, the needy and the elders,” he said.He described the initiative as a potential “major game changer” for last-mile healthcare delivery in Meghalaya.
