Rajanpur, Punjab: The Indus Health Network (IHN) launched Pakistan’s first ever Mobile Boat Clinic which will serve the most vulnerable population in district Rajanpur, Southern Punjab. It is located in an area where development is considered a rare phenomenon with people having limited access to basic health services. The catchment is home to approximately 105,000 people which is further divided into 47% male and 53% female population. “The clinic will enhance healthcare access to the marginalized population by providing quality comprehensive primary care services free-of-charge. Patients needing secondary and tertiary level care will be referred appropriately,” an official statement said.
The Mobile Boat Clinic is currently docking at three points along the Indus River and is expected to expand to eight docking points by the end of the year. According to the official statement issued by IHN, patients will be registered, screened, and have their vitals assessed at each docking point before a doctor’s visit on the boat. There will be a lab collection point and pharmacy to facilitate diagnostics and treatment.
The clinic has the capacity to house essential preventive care services that integrate both the clinical and public health initiatives identified by the community. Providing access to immunization, nutrition, family planning, breastfeeding, deworming, Hepatitis C, mental health screening, and counseling services.
Abdul Karim Paracha, Chairman of the Board, Indus Health Network said, “The Boat clinic will provide access to quality comprehensive primary care to the most neglected population of the area which is heartening for me. IHN will continue to innovate and work with these populations to improve the human capital index of the district and province.”
“This unique initiative integrates Family Medicine with public health interventions and puts an emphasis on preventive care through community-based teams linked with each center,” added Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Indus Health Network.
IHN’s Primary Care Program manages 25 primary care facilities across Pakistan including 12 hospital-based setups in Karachi, Badin, Muzaffargarh, Multan, and Lahore; 12 independent community health centers in Tharparkar, Jamshoro, Muzaffargarh, Kashmir, Rahimyar Khan, and Karachi.