Smile on Wheels mobile hospital project has been launched in Hyderabad, Telangana, with support from the United Health Group (UHG). Benefitting 18 slums and resettlement colonies in the city, the project aims to take preventive, curative, promotive and referral healthcare services to the doorsteps of the marginalized children and families.
Coming into action the very first day, the Smile on Wheels team in Telangana organized the maiden camp at Khanameta slum, near Shilparamam. The slum is home to rag pickers and migrant labourers, living in highly congested, unhygienic and vulnerable surroundings.
The leadership team of UHG including Sri Akula (Vice President – Technology Engineering), Nishid Sachdeva (Senior Director – Global Sourcing & Delivery Operations & Centre Head), Kshitiz Kashyap (Sr. Director – Human Resources), and Saikumar Chintareddy (Associate Director), flagged off the new Smile on Wheels, along with representatives from Smile Foundation.
The mobile hospital is staffed with a qualified doctor, nurse, lab technician, pharmacist, community mobilizer and project coordinator. Besides medical consultation and diagnosis, the people will also be provided with free of cost medicines and lab testing facilities. Emphasis will be given to preventive and promotive measures, to cultivate a health-seeking behaviour in the community. Specialized health camps will supplement the mobile hospital as and when required.
During the next one year, the project will be directly benefitting more than 19,500 people.