A mobile hospital will soon be launched in Jharkhand for poor people in the state.
Initially five such mobile hospitals will begin operating from January next year.A health department official told IANS: "These mobile hospitals with expert doctors will cover rural areas in 22 districts where the poor are deprived of medical facilities."
Each mobile hospital will be equipped with x-ray, ECG and other testing machines and people can avail themselves of these facilities for just Rs. 5. No money will be charged for blood and urine tests.
The state government had mooted the idea of mobile hospital in 2002-03. But it could not take off due to bureaucratic hassles.
The mobile hospital assumes significance as 52 percent population live the below the poverty line (BPL) in the state. No fees will be charged from BPL families.
Those above BPL will have to pay Rs.2 as registration fee for a checkup.
IANS