Guwahati, July 28, 2024: Glenmark Foundation in partnership with the Centre for North East Studies & Policy Research (C-NES) and Darrang district administration has launched a boat clinic program to focuses on maternal and child health by targeting the most vulnerable populations and to ensure that the children have a healthier start in life. The clinic aims to deliver essential healthcare services to remote riverine communities, particularly addressing the challenges posed by seasonal flooding.
Access to healthcare in remote communities is a significant challenge due to geographical barriers and frequent flooding, which often isolates these areas and disrupts healthcare delivery. The boat clinic initiative is designed to overcome these challenges by providing a mobile healthcare unit that can navigate flood-affected regions with a special focus on women and children, who are the most vulnerable in difficult conditions.
The Boat Clinic will provide basic health care services, through a specially developed boat equipped with a laboratory and a pharmacy. A fully-fledged medical team, including doctors, nurses, lab technicians and pharmacists, will conduct regular health camps through a network of community health workers and organisers in the district.
By offering services such as immunisations, prenatal care, and health education, the program aims to ensure continuous healthcare access, improve health outcomes in these vulnerable areas and foster sustainable development.
“With the launch of the Boat Clinic an important gap in the health services has been covered and will of immense help in providing basic health care services in the far-flung areas of the district,” said Nayana Parasher DPM, NHM Darrang.
Munindra Nath Ngatey, Darrang District Commissioner, stated the boat clinic launched on Saturday will further enhance efforts to extend health services to the district's remote river islands.The District Commissioner also expressed his appreciation to Glenmark Foundation and C-NES for their support in launching the boat clinic service.
C-NES has been providing basic health care services, through specially developed boats equipped with medical teams, laboratories, and pharmacies on board, to communities living on river islands in 14 districts of Assam supported by NHM since 2008. These clinics take sustained health care to lakhs of persons on the islands, specially focused on women and children. With this launch, Darrang will become the 15th district to benefit from the program.
“C-NES appreciates this gesture which will help bring the basics of health care to many more of the marginalized in Assam and improve the health scenario overall in the state,” said Sanjoy Hazarika, Founder and Managing Trustee, C-NES.
The boat clinic will serve as a mobile healthcare unit, providing vital medical care to areas with limited access to traditional health facilities. This initiative is crucial in bridging healthcare gaps and reaching populations that are often overlooked.
Cheryl Pinto, Executive Director – Corporate Services, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd., said, “We are happy to be among the first corporates to partner with CNES and the District Administration Darrang. Innovation can bring about change and greater outreach when done in collaboration with partners, and this initiative exemplifies the benefit it extends. At Glenmark Foundation, our focus on maternal and child health drives us to seek innovative solutions that reach those who are most in need. The boat clinic program is vital in ensuring access to healthcare for the mother and child in remote regions of Assam, especially in flood-prone areas.”
