For people living in the riverine char areas (island villages) of Assam, the “boat clinic” is a lifeline. Under a public private partnership (PPP) arrangement with the National Health Mission, the Centre For North East Studies and Policy Research, (C-NES), an NGO, has been providing health care services in these hard to reach areas using boat clinics since 2008. These floating clinics have been treating about 20 000 patients each month (about 240 000 every year) in the 13 riverine districts of the state.
Equipped with critical manpower and support staff to run OPD, laboratories and pharmacies on board. boat clinics visit different riverine char areas as per a predetermined schedule and stay stationed there for a few days to render health services. While anchored, people from nearby
areas visit the clinic. The staff share information
with the community on preventive and promotive aspects of healthcare and provide curative support to patients, when required. The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception, and boat clinic members have been sharing important information about COVID-19 focusing
on hand washing, physical distancing, cough etiquette and hygiene etc. If anyone from outside comes to the village, then local health authorities are requested to advise new arrivals on quarantine guidelines. Information about the next visit is shared
with residents before the clinic moves to the next location. If informed about emergencies, C-NES also arranges transportation for patients to the district hospitals for critical care services.
The Jorhat boat clinic has been providing services in the island Majuli district, which has 34 char areas. While interacting with the community, in groups or through home visits, the clinic staff ensure that physical distancing guidelines are adhered to. The immunization sessions, which were hampered in early April due to the COVID-19 pandemic, have restarted to ensure delivery of essential health services (EHS). From 20-30 April, the boat clinics have arranged immunization sessions, ANC checkups and other emergency services at all chars managed by C-NES. There are 15 boat clinics across Assam, which have been serving with sincerity, dedication and determination.