With India’s vast and diverse population, many individuals in rural or remote areas have limited access to healthcare facilities. Mobile health clinics present a viable solution by bridging this gap, providing essential medical services directly to communities in need. This article will comprehensively cover all that is needed to open a mobile health clinic in India. Let’s look at what a mobile clinic is.
Under the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, the Mobile Clinic is a facility built inside a vehicle providing examinations, consultations, and prescriptions to outpatients. This also includes the dispensing of medicines, basic laboratory services, vaccination facilities and procedures by a general practitioner, specialist or super specialist doctor to those in remote or specified areas who have access to little or no medical facilities.
Now that we understand what a mobile health clinic entails, let’s take a closer look at the essential services it provides to the communities it serves.
Services Offered under Mobile Health Clinic
The various services covered under a mobile health clinic include:
- Preventive care: These services include immunization, antenatal, and postnatal care.
- Diagnostic services: Diagnostic services include the basic tests like hemoglobin, urine tests, ECG, and ultrasonography. The detection of diseases like tuberculosis, leprosy, and others is also included.
- Curative services: These include treatment for minor ailments, geriatric care, and referrals to specialists as necessary.
- Specialized care: Mobile clinics may provide services in allopathy, AYUSH, dental care, physiotherapy, wellness, etc.
- Health education and promotion: Here, mobile clinics focus on educating communities about health and hygiene.
- Rehabilitation services: Rehabilitative care is also provided, where needed.
- Patient records: Health records of all patients should be maintained for follow-up treatments.
- A few minor procedures, like dressing and administering injections, etc., may be provided in the clinic, however, not requiring observation or a short stay.
To effectively deliver mobile clinic services, the mobile clinic must meet specific infrastructure and vehicle requirements to ensure smooth and efficient operations.
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Infrastructure Requirements for Mobile Health Clinic
- Facility location: The mobile clinic must be in a safe, clean area and comply with local regulations.
- Signage: The clinic must display clear signs or a board with the name of the clinic, the doctor’s name, the registration number and services provided in the local language.
- Vehicle requirements: The mobile clinic must have a high-body vehicle that can accommodate 6 people and necessary medical equipment.
- Equipment: The clinic should have essential medical equipment as listed in Annexures I and II, and all equipment should be in good working condition.
See Also: Opening A Clinic? Here’s How To Choose The Right Medical Equipment In India: 8 Key Factors
Human Resource Requirements to Open a Mobile Clinic
- Doctors: The mobile clinic must have qualified allopathic doctors with a minimum MBBS degree. They might include general practitioners or specialists registered with the State or Central Medical Council of India.
- Other staff: This includes pharmacists with a degree in pharmacy, qualified nurses, group D male or female, counselors for HIV/AIDS, and drivers.
- Vehicle drivers: The drivers should have the necessary licenses and must not be alcoholics. They should be available when needed.
Further, the mobile clinic should be equipped with essential furniture to ensure smooth operations and comfort for both patients and staff. This includes an examination table for patient assessments, chairs and stools for both patients and healthcare providers, and tables for storing medical supplies and equipment.
Additionally, a dressing table is required for minor procedures or dressing changes, while waste collection bins should be available to ensure proper disposal of medical and non-medical waste in compliance with hygiene and biomedical waste management standards.
In addition to having qualified medical personnel, the mobile health clinic must also be equipped with the right vehicle and equipment to provide comprehensive health care services. Let’s have a look at it.
Vehicle Requirements for Mobile Health Clinics
- Vehicle design and capacity:
- The vehicle must have a high body with a long chassis (13 seats) or a long chassis with a low body.
- It should accommodate at least 6 people, along with all necessary medical equipment and materials.
- Essential equipment:
- The vehicle must have:
- Oxygen cylinder with necessary accessories
- Drug storage rack
- Equipment storage rack
- Space for laboratory equipment
- IV infusion facilities
- The vehicle must have:
- Driver requirements:
- The driver must be licensed, wear a uniform, and remain non-alcoholic at all times. The driver should be available as needed.
- The driver must be licensed, wear a uniform, and remain non-alcoholic at all times. The driver should be available as needed.
- Maintenance and cleanliness:
- The vehicle must be kept clean and tidy at all times.
- A name board should be displayed on the vehicle.
- The vehicle must be regularly serviced and maintained to avoid breakdowns.
- In case of a breakdown, an alternative vehicle must be arranged to ensure uninterrupted services.
- Insurance:
- The vehicle must be insured. Under no circumstances should an uninsured vehicle be used.
- The vehicle must be insured. Under no circumstances should an uninsured vehicle be used.
- Storage and equipment requirements:
- Adequate space for storing medical equipment and medicines must be provided.
- Medicines should be stored as per the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Equipment must be of sufficient capacity to meet workload requirements.
- Condition of equipment:
- All equipment should be in good working condition at all times.
- Regular inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of equipment must be carried out.
- Essential and emergency equipment:
- The clinic must have essential medical equipment (as outlined in Annexure I) and emergency equipment (as listed in Annexure II).
- Other equipment required for specific services must also be available based on the clinic’s scope of service.
Record Maintenance and Reporting
Every clinical establishment must maintain patient medical records and health data related to national programs. These records should be submitted to district authorities in quarterly reports. Copies of all records and statistics should be kept for at least 3 to 5 years or as required by relevant laws under Section 12(1)(iii) of the CEA 2010.
Additionally, clinical establishments are responsible for providing information and statistics during emergencies, disasters, or epidemics, as requested by the National Council under the CEA 2010.
To complement effective record-keeping, mobile health clinics must follow a set of basic processes to register and assess patients accurately, ensuring efficient care. Let’s have a look at the basic process.
Basic Processes
- Registration: Every patient visiting the clinic must be registered.
- Assessment: Each patient will undergo an assessment, during which their findings, medications, and investigations will be documented with a working diagnosis. The assessment must be signed by the consultant/specialist with the date and time.
- First aid: The clinic must have provisions for First Aid, and contact details for ambulances and nearby hospitals should be available.
See Also: Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) Vs. Paper Records: A Comparative Analysis
Essential Equipment for Mobile Clinics (Annexure I)
- Stethoscope, thermometer, sphygmomanometer (BP apparatus)
- Oxygen cylinders with accessories/
- Sterilizers and autoclaves
- Dressing scissors, forceps, and kidney trays
- Ambu bags and suction apparatus
Essential Drugs for Mobile Clinics (Annexure II)
- Emergency drugs, antibiotics, analgesics, and anti-diabetic medications
- Anti-helminthic, anti-fungal, and anti-hypertensive drugs
- Anti-coagulants, IV fluids, and sedatives
- Eye drops, ointments, and dressing materials
With the proper equipment, the mobile clinic can deliver its services effectively. Let’s now recap the essential factors for a successful mobile health clinic.
Conclusion
Starting a mobile health clinic in India requires careful planning and adherence to legal, infrastructural, and human resource requirements. By ensuring the clinic is equipped with necessary tools and staffed with trained professionals, it can provide vital healthcare services in underserved and remote areas.
From offering preventive care to diagnostic services, mobile health clinics can address a variety of health issues while promoting awareness and well-being. However, it’s crucial to maintain proper records, perform regular maintenance, and meet regulatory standards to ensure long-term success and uninterrupted service.
By following these guidelines, a mobile health clinic can become a crucial part of India’s healthcare landscape, improving access to quality care where it’s needed the most.
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