PRIMARY HEALTH INITIATIVES
OUR VISION IS TO GIVE ACCESS TO PRIMARY HEALTH CARE TO INDIA'S MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES. OUR MISSION IS TO STRATEGICALLY COORDINATE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY TO BRING SUSTAINABLE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE TO INDIA’S DEEPLY IMPOVERISHED COMMUNITIES.
Partners India has been on a transformative journey since 2005. Our relentless efforts have brought about a significant change in the lives of the most destitute and vulnerable communities of North-central India. Through our medical camps, we have not just provided healthcare assistance but also instilled a sense of hope and optimism in these communities, showing them pathways to a brighter future.
We started this project, among others, when we found the health needs of these destitute populations deplorable. We have observed local shamans filling children’s ears with warm sand to cure ear infections. We found burned metal marks on the stomachs of these children to alleviate stomach pain, and patients with inhalers for shortness of breath due to chronic conditions struggling because no one taught them how to use the inhalers. We have seen “doctors” taking undue advantage of the poor by prescribing medicines that they do not need. The list goes on and on. After our findings, it became imperative to start a medical health initiative that addresses basic healthcare needs with the help of local providers who are passionate and committed to helping these populations.
Mobile Medical Unit
Partners India Mobile Medical Unit covers the rural or slum areas where no healthcare facilities exist or where existing facilities cannot provide sufficient care for the population. In emergency cases, the vehicle also functions as an ambulance. The vehicle is stationed at our center, ready to respond to emergencies outside its service. The vehicle is also a platform to conduct health and hygiene awareness activities and promote general health in the communities we serve. A full-time staff works out of the Mobile Medical Unit and extends service opportunities for volunteer medical professionals locally and abroad.
In 2023, we treated over 2,000 patients on board the Mobile Medical Unit. In 2024, we plan to double the impact by expanding the services to identified rural and slum communities by adding more staff.
Clinic
When hospitals were inaccessible due to the pandemic, we opened our Charitable Clinic. This clinic provides quality healthcare access to urban patients through qualified medical professionals, interns, and volunteers. Affordable treatment options are available to hundreds of low-income, daily-wage earners and their families.
Mental Health Support
India’s youth have one of the highest suicide rates in the world. It is estimated that in four years, there will be 690 million Indian citizens under 25. Each year, between 30 and 40 people per 100,000 aged between 15 and 29 kill themselves. Much of this hopelessness stems from large-scale joblessness and limited future opportunities. Many rural Indian families often borrow large amounts of money to formally prepare children to pass the national board exams. This places enormous expectations on their children to succeed academically and financially and, in turn, provide for them. As a result, much pressure is put on young people to do well on these exams, which can determine higher education or employment opportunities. Unfortunately, when the failure occurs at such a high price, students and families often become hopeless and distraught.
To address this problem of extreme pressure and high expectations, and sometimes the failure to meet this, we have staff and volunteer counselors conducting group counseling sessions for parents and youth.
Arjun was burdened by parental expectations and peer pressure from an early age, eventually making him rely on drugs and alcohol. Unable to escape from the growing anxiety, he attempted to take his life by poisoning. He was in critical condition when one of our staff members began visiting with him. These visits instilled Arjun with a sense of hope and purpose. He began attending our leadership institute when he was released from the hospital. He is now back in his community, making a difference and instilling hope in those without any.