Volunteers from villages trained to be paramedics

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Center for Social Action and Movement’s mobile clinic team in Bidar, India, provides medical care for people in need in rural villages. The mobile medical clinic is supported by the Office of Development of the Province of Bangalore (BREADS – Bangalore Rural Education and Development Society).

Clinics are available in Bidar, Kalaburagi, Davanagere, and Devadurga in the Raichur district and reach 85 remote underserved villages with primary community health services. Each month, 600 to 1,000 sick individuals benefit from this initiative in each district. Medical camps are also organized in collaboration with primary health centers and hospitals.

A Salesian said, “Advocacy is a key component, promoting government health services and educating villagers about public health care options. These efforts raise awareness of government services for prenatal and postnatal care, free vaccination and immunization programs, nutrition support for malnourished children, and adolescent health support. As a result, communities are better empowered to seek proper medical care rather than resorting to superstitious practices.”

He added, “Health education promotes awareness on the prevention of diseases and the importance of personal hygiene and clean surroundings. Awareness about HIV/AIDS and the impact of addictive habits is created among the community. Volunteers from the villages are trained to be paramedics to assist the mobile clinic team and the villagers. They also contact the team in emergencies. We appreciate our dedicated team for their service, serving thousands of underprivileged villagers.”

Recently, the team encountered an emergency on the road with three individuals from Soraly village. They were waiting for an ambulance to arrive, but had been informed it would take more than hour to reach them. Understanding the urgency, the trained medical team quickly provided first aid to the injured then transported them to the Brims Hospital in Bidar for additional treatment.

Salesian programs across India are primarily focused on education. Salesian primary and secondary education in the country helps youth prepare for later technical, vocational or university study. Other programs help to support youth and their families by meeting the basic needs of shelter, proper nutrition and medical care.

###

Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS) 

ANS – India – Every Second Counts: Quick Responses Matter! Mobile Clinic Programme of BREADS

Salesian Missions – India

World Bank – India