SURAT: On occasion of birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and ‘Good Governance Day’, a new initiative for public welfare named ‘Atal Seva Shuttle’ a joint initiative of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission Dharampur and Valsad District Administration, a health shuttle equipped with medical instruments along with a trained doctor and specially trained nursing staff present at all time, was launched on Friday at an event held in Dharampur town of Valsad district. It was launched virtually by Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani.
"It is equipped with machines to not only carry out regular check-ups but also carry out check-ups for severely malnourished mothers and children. This shuttle will have a monthly, day-wise schedule to visit every village in the Dharampur taluka which will be communicated village-wise in advance. The primary aim of this shuttle is conducting regular, complete health check-ups and providing nutritious food along with necessary medication for children below the age of 5 suffering from malnutrition, children below the age of 18 years having birth defects, developmental delays and other diseases as well as for pregnant and breastfeeding women,'' said an official.
"Pregnant ladies suffering from serious complications and severely malnourished children will be further referred to Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital and Shrimad Rajchandra Child Malnutrition Treatment Centre. Through this, a complete circle of treatment will be carried out to ensure their well-being. With this goal in mind, around 700 health workers – 350 anganwadi workers and 350 ASHA workers in the Dharampur Taluka region are being trained by the highly skilled medical staff of Shrimad Rajchandra Hospital,'' an official added.
The shuttle will also have a revenue talati and a gram sevak to educate the villagers on various government schemes for healthcare, women and children’s welfare, prevention of malnutrition, schemes for adolescents, aids for the specially abled, social security schemes, farmers’ welfare as well as help them in filling the necessary application forms.
Moreover, Shrimad Rajchandra Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Shrimad Rajchandra District Early Intervention Centre is recognized as a model centre by the Government of Gujarat.