Kurnool bets big on mobile clinics

As a part of its efforts to tackle seasonal ailments arising during monsoons, Kurnool district’s medical and health department, in coordination with several other government agencies, has deployed Mobile Malaria and Dengue Clinics (MMDCs) to ensure an effective and comprehensive delivery of medical services across the district.

Though till date there has been a decline in number of cases, when compared to last year, officials attributed it to deficit rainfall in the region, and are leaving no stone unturned to check any possible outbreak.

Speaking to The Hindu, District Medical and Health Officer J.V.V.R.K. Prasad said the department had constituted 11 MMDCs across the district with emphasis on surveying urban areas.

Specialised vehicles

“The mobile clinics are specialised vehicles run by the health staff (paramedical), who with the help of medical kits carry out tests related to the seasonal ailments, especially fever-like occurrences. They embark on a door-to-door survey and inquire about the health conditions of the people, taking appropriate action, including malaria smear tests, if required,” Dr. Prasad said.

Further outlining on the operation of MMDCs, Dr. Prasad said the vehicles primarily ply in the urban areas such as Kurnool, Adoni, Yemmiganur, Nandyal, Atmakur etc., and are currently in the last stage of operation. With respect to the problematic issues, Dr. Prasad said that dengue and chikungunya were more prevalent in the district, right from July to October, and though the situation was not alarming they had been on alert to deal with any kind of situation.

In addition to this, the medical and health officials have teamed up with panchayat raj department to carry out the necessary spraying and fogging operations, in both interior and exterior, as a precautionary measure to tackle vector-borne diseases.

On the other hand, the officials are focussing on food and water-borne diseases and have been conducting regular medical camps in villages (rural areas) with an incidence of fevers.

“In case of suspected water sources, we have checked the chlorination levels and provided alternative source of water to the people, with support from the Panchayat Raj department,” he maintained. The officials lauded the convergence of various government agencies in the district, with constant support from the District Collector S. Satyanarayana, but remarked that with substantial financial allotment and recruitment of personnel, they would be able to offer better medical services/healthcare to the people across the district.

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