In a significant move to bridge the healthcare gap in rural areas, HMEL Guru Gobind Singh Refinery has joined forces with AIIMS Bathinda to launch an ambitious integrated mobile medical and telemedicine project. This initiative is designed to deliver comprehensive medical services directly to the doorsteps of villagers in adopted communities across Punjab and Haryana.
A Landmark Partnership for Rural Wellness
The collaboration was formalized on Monday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The ceremony was attended by Prof Rattan Gupta, Executive Director of AIIMS Bathinda, and senior HMEL officials, including Chief Operating Officer M B Gohil and Vice-President of Human Leadership Ashok Kumar. This public-private partnership aims to cover 59 adopted villages in the vicinity of the Bathinda refinery and some adjoining areas in Haryana.
The project is poised to make a substantial impact, with an estimated 25,000 families and over 1,50,000 rural residents set to benefit from its services. It represents a holistic approach to healthcare, combining physical medical units with digital connectivity.
Comprehensive Doorstep Healthcare Services
At the core of the initiative are two fully equipped mobile medical units that will regularly tour the adopted villages. Each unit will be staffed with a dedicated team from AIIMS Bathinda, including a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, and project coordinator.
The mobile clinics will be outfitted with:
- Diagnostic kits and primary treatment tools.
- Oxygen cylinders and nebulisers for emergency care.
- Fire safety equipment and a stock of essential medicines.
A digital health record system will be used to register patient details, ensuring continuous follow-up and effective treatment monitoring. While primary healthcare will be provided on-site, a structured referral mechanism is in place to send serious cases to AIIMS Bathinda or the nearest government hospital. The service delivery also incorporates a dedicated patient feedback and grievance system.
Telemedicine: Connecting Villages to Specialists
A standout feature of the programme is its robust telemedicine facility. This will enable rural patients to have virtual consultations with specialist doctors from AIIMS Bathinda across key departments.
Specialties available via tele-consultation include:
- Cardiology and Orthopaedics
- Gynaecology and Paediatrics
- General Medicine and Psychiatry
These consultations will operate on a fixed day–fixed time–fixed site model, providing reliable and consistent access to expert medical advice. All sessions will be digitally recorded for quality monitoring and review, ensuring high standards of care.
Community Engagement and Future Health Camps
Beyond direct treatment, the project emphasizes preventive care and health awareness. HMEL and AIIMS will conduct Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) and Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) activities. These efforts will actively involve ASHA workers, school students, teachers, and panchayat representatives to foster a culture of health within communities.
Furthermore, the project plan includes organizing eight mega specialty health camps during its duration. These camps will facilitate large-scale screening, specialist consultations, and medicine distribution by AIIMS doctors, addressing more complex health needs in a concentrated manner.
Financial support for the project will be released in four phases, contingent on progress and outcome reports. By seamlessly integrating mobile medical units, telemedicine, and specialty health camps, this initiative ensures that quality healthcare transcends geographical barriers, making essential medical services truly accessible and impactful for rural populations in Punjab and Haryana.
