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Chhattisgarh Government making healthcare accessible to the under-served in remote, far-flung areas
‘Phuleshwari and Kayaso Bai managing their high blood pressure and diabetes well with regular treatment at Haat Bazaar Clinic
Koriya 05 September 2022/ Phuleshwari, a sexagenarian hailing from village Sorga of Baikunthpur block falling under Koriya district said I have had high blood pressure and diabetes for almost the last six years. When my health condition gets worse, I have to take leave to visit the health center. However, ‘Mukhyamantri Haat Bazaar Clinic Scheme’ has proven to be a boon for people like me. Now I am getting my diabetes and BP checked every Thursday and get medicines accordingly free of cost. Similarly, 85-year-old Kayaso Bai, a resident of the same village got her treatment for vomiting and diarrhea at the Haat Bazaar clinic. She said that she is also getting regular consultations and treatment for BP and diabetes here.
Rampravesh, who visited the clinic set up at village Aamand Haat Bazar for the treatment of his 4-year-old daughter Gunjan suffering from seasonal disease said “My daughter was experiencing fever, cold and cough for last few days. On Thursday, I got her treatment done in the Haat Bazar clinic, where malaria and hemoglobin tests were also done. Necessary medicines were given free of cost and the doctor advised her to drink boiled water and consume healthy home-cooked food. She is completely healthy now.”
It is worth mentioning that the state government has launched its ambitious ‘Mukhyamantri Haat Bazar Clinic Yojana’ intending to make quality healthcare accessible to people living in remote and far-flung areas of the state. Now they no longer have to travel long distances to see medical professionals. People are getting free-of-cost health check-ups, consultations, and medicines through dedicated mobile medical units in local haat bazaars only. The facility of eye examination and necessary treatment by ophthalmic assistants is also provided at these clinics. In addition, dentists are also available to examine teeth-related diseases. Apart from the distribution of free medicines to the patients, serious patients are also being referred to higher institutions for proper treatment.
More than 58,000 people got benefitted under the scheme in the last 5 months
Under the scheme, health facilities are being provided to the people by the team of the Health Department through 7 dedicated vehicles in 42 weekly Haat Bazaars. From April 1, 2022, a total of 58, 225 patients got their health check-ups done and 58, 274 patients got free medicines and medical tests done in these clinics so far. Besides, about 69 patients were referred to the district hospital for treatment. MMU vehicles arrived in 820 organized weekly haat bazaars during this time period, treating patients at an average rate of around 71 per haat bazaar.
