Port Blair, Aug. 8: Two mobile health units christened ‘Vridh Ashray’, a first of its kind initiative under District Health Society, South Andaman and approved as innovative proposal by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare under National Health Mission, Andaman & Nicobar Islands were flagged off today by Ms. Veditha Reddy, IAS, Deputy Commissioner/Chairperson, District Health Society, South Andaman to provide geriatric health care services to the citizens of above 60 years of age group. Shri Dilkhush Meena, IAS, ADM (SA), Shri Azharuddin Zahiruddin Quazi, IAS, SDM (SA) & Shri Anand Vardhan Mishra, DANICS, AC (Sett), Dr. Munni Singhania, Director, DHS, Shri Sunil Kumar, Joint Mission Director, UTHM also graced the occasion alongwith other officials and Staff of the District Administration and State Health Society, A&N Islands.
The Deputy Commissioner urged the gathering to avail the services of these ‘Vridh Ashray Mobile Health Units and directed the mobile health team to ensure that all equipment are well maintained so that required care can be delivered at the door steps of the senior citizens.
Earlier, Shri B. Nagendra, District Programme Manager of District Health Society, South Andaman has briefed that the Vridh Ashray units will have dedicated vehicles, which includes Doctor, Staff Nurse & Drive cum Attendant in each unit will visit door to door of around 15000 Senior Citizens of Port Blair & Ferrargunj block initially, which will be extended upto Little Andaman block in due course under South Andaman District. The objective of these teams is to facilitate a public health care particularly to people living in remote, difficult, under-served areas & citizens who are unable to reach the health facilities with a target to improve access to health care for senior citizens.
These health teams will screen the elderly for management of Chronic Communicable Diseases, Management of Common Communicable Diseases, Common Non-Communicable Diseases, Mental Illness, Dental Care, Eye Care/ENT Care and Emergency Medicine in coordination with the physicians of the nearest health facilities.