Dedicated doctor helps elderly people with Mobile Clinic | Fusion - WeRIndia

Dr C Swaminathan, a 33-year-old, well-acquainted with the unsettling feeling of heart palpitations, embarked on a mission to revolutionize healthcare accessibility.

While working at private hospitals, he recognized the stark disparity in healthcare availability.

This prompted him to initiate a mobile clinic in 2019, aimed at extending medical services to the masses.

He says that the fundamental idea behind a mobile clinic is to ensure medical care reaches everyone.

His services aim at encompassing the elderly, differently-abled individuals, and those grappling with diabetes, all delivered right to their doorsteps. Besides, he is committed to providing palliative care.

Originally from Tiruchy, Swaminathan pursued his schooling abroad and later completed his college education in Salem district.

After settling in Madurai in 2016, his days began at the crack of dawn, around 3 am. His mobile clinic became a common sight on Madurai’s streets.

Patient interactions within the mobile clinic extend beyond prescriptions. With new patients, the team invests 20 to 25 minutes in getting acquainted, ensuring comfort before treatment.

For subsequent visits, this initial familiarization is streamlined to a shorter duration.

Routine patients receive about 10 to 15 minutes of their time. His team travels 100 km daily and attends to 15 house calls.

In the beginning, Dr Swaminathan employed his personal car for assistance. However, witnessing his efforts, a relative of one of his patients graciously contributed to the four-wheeler.

He uses a two-wheeler as well for immediate interventions.

Operating his clinic from 9 to 11 am and 6 to 8 pm, Dr Swaminathan manages around ten staff members. These include clinical and nursing personnel.

Service fees range between ₹300 to ₹800, contingent on the distance covered by the team.

Throughout the pandemic, they conducted two vaccination camps in Madurai and have hosted 52 public health camps to date.

Expressing his aspirations, Swaminathan envisions extending the team’s outreach to southern districts and establishing care homes for the elderly.

His story exemplifies a resolute commitment to making healthcare accessible to all, one mobile clinic visit at a time.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/906211