The Primary & Secondary Healthcare Department (P&SHD) is committed to providing high-quality preventive and curative healthcare services. While healthcare facilities in rural and urban areas are being improved, urban slums remain underserved. To address this gap, the Chief Minister of Punjab has launched the “Clinic on Wheels” program, ensuring the provision of quality healthcare services in urban slums across the province.
Program Overview
- Approximately 7.2 million people reside in urban slums across Punjab, facing inadequate healthcare access, overcrowded living conditions, and sanitation issues.
- Research indicates that these areas experience higher rates of communicable diseases, maternal and child health issues, and limited access to healthcare facilities.
- Only 57.2% of urban slum residents have access to healthcare units.
- To bridge this gap, the Chief Minister’s “Clinic on Wheels” initiative has been introduced, deploying dedicated medical vehicles across 36 districts of Punjab.
Operational Model
- Each district will have 3 to 10 vehicles for healthcare services.
- 1 ultrasound vehicle will be available for every 5 passenger vehicles.
- Operational hours: Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 3 PM.
- Friday: 9 AM to 1 PM.
- Vehicles will visit designated urban slum areas based on need-based routes and parking locations.
- Pre-registration of patients will be conducted by Lady Health Workers (LHWs).
- Task assignments and scheduling will be managed through the CRC system.
Healthcare Services Provided
- Treatment of minor ailments and referral to specialized care.
- Family planning services, including counseling and contraceptive provision.
- Antenatal and postnatal care, maternity health education, and referral for deliveries.
- Vaccination for children under 2 years of age.
- Nutritional screening and treatment for children under 5 years.
- Diagnostic tests for Hepatitis B & C, Malaria, Diabetes, and Hypertension.
- Dengue surveillance and health education awareness campaigns.
Implementation Plan
- The initiative was inaugurated by Chief Minister Punjab on May 10, 2024.
- Healthcare services officially started on May 13, 2024.
- Currently, 244 “Clinic on Wheels” vehicles are operational:
- 202 passenger vehicles for transporting medicines and staff to designated locations.
- 42 ultrasound vehicles for diagnostic and specialized services.
- Suzuki Bolan vehicles operate in urban slums from Monday to Thursday & Saturday (9 AM to 3 PM), and Friday (9 AM to 1 PM).
- The 1034 helpline assigns daily tasks to the mobile health teams, which include:
- Medical Officers, Lady Health Visitors, Dispensers, and Vaccinators.
- Medicines and essential medical supplies.
Way Forward
- Positive public response has been observed in urban slums.
- This service model may be expanded to other underprivileged areas with poor healthcare and socio-economic indicators.
- The “Clinic on Wheels” program aims to provide quality healthcare access to marginalized and vulnerable populations across Punjab.