Scheme for comprehensive primary healthcare to Tea Garden population through 80 nos of dedicated Mobile Medical Units (MMUs)

o    Assam is the highest tea producer state in the country with 55% of the total production. About 20% of the total population of Assam belongs to the tea growing communities. They are one of the most backward communities in Assam.
o    Though, as per The Plantations Labour Act 1951 and the Assam Plantations Labour Rules, 1956, a healthcare service in Tea Garden is the responsibility of Tea Garden Management. But in reality, major chunk of the Tea garden population is deprived of proper healthcare facility. Many studies have revealed that Assam is facing a very high Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and in the districts with high tea garden population, MMR is very high (404 per Lakh live births).
o    In order to provide comprehensive primary health care services along with diagnostics facilities, NHM Assam had submitted a proposal to GOI for health facilities exclusively for the Tea Garden areas through deployment of 80 dedicated Mobile Medical Units (MMUs).The Scheme is envisaged to be implemented in an outsourced model, prescribed as per GOI norms, through M/s Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust (HLFPPT) which has been selected through open tendering process. The projected annual expenditure will be 29.59 crores.
o    Each MMU consists of two (2) vehicles. First vehicle will be equipped with OPD and laboratory facilitates, IEC material and second vehicle will be used for transportation of MMU Team.
o    Each MMU will have one Medical Officer, one ANM, one Pharmacist, one Laboratory Technician, one Ophthalmic Technician, two Drivers and one Handyman.
o    In the first phase, 320 Tea gardens have been selected for implementation of the scheme through 80 MMUs where each MMU will cover 4 Tea gardens per month.
o    More Tea gardens shall be covered under the scheme in next phase. Cluster of 4 - 5 Tea Gardens depending on the population & proximity has been formed and against each cluster a MMU has been designated.
o    Purpose of the Mobile Medical Unit is to provide Comprehensive Primary Healthcare comprising of Maternal Health, Child Health, Adolescent Health, and Family Planning. Services of communicable diseases like Malaria, JE, TB, Leprosy etc and non- communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetics, and Blindness control will also be covered.
o    Drugs & consumables will be supplied by Health & Family Welfare Department under Free Drugs Policies.
o    If patients require referral for higher treatment, the MMU team will coordinate with 108/102 for referral and necessary liasoning with the higher facility like First Referral Unit (FRU), District Hospital and Medical Colleges.
o    To facilitate the treatment of the referred cases from the Tea Garden areas in the District Hospitals and Medical Colleges a dedicated help desk will be set up.

The Tea Garden MMU will accrue following benefits to the tea Garden Population:

o    MMUs are hospital on wheels; it will make health services available to Tea Garden Population at their doorstep.
o    Difficult and unreached areas where health infrastructure is not available will be covered by MMUs.
o    In Tea Gardens MMR is very high, to reduce MMR quality ANC is very essential. MMU will ensure quality ANC to all the pregnant women.
o    MMU will ensure early Identification of High Risk Pregnancy and referral.
o    Non Communicable Disease (NCD) are very high in Tea Gardens, MMU will ensure early screening and treatment.
o    MMU will make Family Planning services available at door step of the Tea Garden Population, which will fulfill the unmet need.
o    Adolescent Anemia is common in Tea Gardens, nutrition counsel and IFA supplementation will reduce the disease burden.
o    MMU will provide geriatric care to senior citizens at their doorstep.