Calcutta Rescue’s third street medicine team (SM3) hit the road this month with more than a little help from US charity, Indian Schools Alumni and Friends (INSAF ) who funded a bespoke vehicle for them.
The NGO’s first two mobile clinics take teams of doctors and healthcare staff into slums to diagnose, treat and refer sick people as required.
But SM3 has a very different role as its manager, Shantanu explains: “While quality curative healthcare is essential, awareness about the diseases and preventive healthcare is even more necessary. We work around nutrition, family planning, mother and child health and knowledge of disease and build communication within the community.”
The idea of evolving a separate team to focus on prevention was sparked by CR’s ongoing collaboration with Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI).
APPI is one of the largest not-for-profit organisations in India that has been working since 2000 within the elementary education system. After agreeing to provide career mentoring and counselling about mental health, hygiene, family planning and vaccinations for 126 of CR’s female students it generously agreed to expand its support to help the communities where the girls live.
The new “outreach team”, consists of 5 core members and they have already started work in seven slum areas. Their fabulous new vehicle even has a toilet – which will make life a lot easier for staff and patients. Big thanks to APPI, INSAAF and to our US support group for their assistance in making this a reality.
