Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday flagged off nine mobile medical units from his official residence at Nagla Tarai, Khatima, marking a significant step towards improving healthcare access across the state’s rural and urban regions. The initiative, undertaken with the support of Hans Foundation, Hindustan Zinc Limited, and Mamta Organisation, aims to provide essential medical services directly to people’s doorsteps, especially in remote and underserved areas.
Our correspondent reports that of the nine vehicles, eight mobile medical units have been provided by the Hans Foundation, while one has been donated jointly by Hindustan Zinc Limited and Mamta Organisation. The mobile health vans are fully equipped with medical facilities to provide basic consultation, diagnostic testing, and treatment services under the supervision of doctors, nurses, and healthcare counsellors.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dhami said the new mobile health units would play a crucial role in expanding the reach of healthcare facilities to areas that lack regular medical infrastructure. He expressed gratitude to the contributing organisations and said their initiative would greatly assist in achieving the government’s goal of universal healthcare access.
Our correspondent adds that the Chief Minister praised the spirit of social partnership reflected in the collaboration between public and private institutions. He said, “Efforts like these strengthen the foundation of healthcare delivery and ensure that people in the farthest corners of the state are not deprived of essential services.” Dhami added that such mobile units would be especially beneficial for the elderly, women, and children who often find it difficult to travel long distances for medical care.
Project Manager of the Hans Foundation, Yudhveer Singh, informed that four of the foundation’s mobile units will be operational in Udham Singh Nagar district, while the remaining four will serve residents in Nainital district. Each unit is fitted with basic diagnostic equipment, first-aid provisions, and medicine supplies, ensuring that immediate medical attention can be provided on-site.
Anamika Jha, Director at Hindustan Zinc Limited, said the company, along with Mamta Organisation, has extended its mobile healthcare initiative to 25 villages in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, particularly in Gadarpur and Kichha areas. She explained that each mobile medical van is staffed with a doctor, nurse, and counsellor who provide medical consultations, preliminary investigations, and follow-up care to residents.
Officials present at the event noted that the launch of these units will significantly reduce the dependence of rural residents on distant hospitals and improve early diagnosis and preventive care. They added that the project also supports the state’s broader aim of decentralised healthcare, enabling faster response to medical needs in remote settlements.
The Chief Minister further said that Uttarakhand’s health infrastructure is witnessing steady progress through initiatives such as telemedicine, health outreach camps, and the expansion of community health centres. He highlighted that mobile medical units are particularly effective in hilly terrains where transportation and access to hospitals remain major challenges.
Our correspondent reports that the mobile units will begin operations within the next few days, covering designated areas as per district health department schedules. Regular monitoring will be carried out to ensure that services remain consistent and effective. The government is also exploring partnerships with other private and voluntary organisations to expand the fleet in the coming months.
The Chief Minister emphasised that providing accessible, affordable, and efficient healthcare is a key priority of his government. He urged citizens to make full use of the facilities and promised continued efforts to improve public health services across Uttarakhand.
The flagging-off ceremony was attended by District Panchayat Chairperson Ajay Maurya, Municipal Chairperson Ramesh Chandra Joshi, District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadoria, Senior Superintendent of Police Manikant Mishra, and several senior officials and public representatives.
