Mumbai: A novel Mumbai police scheme launched on June 20 this year to provide medical aid to policemen on duty along with their families via three mobile medical vans (MMVs) has benefitted nearly 6,000 policemen.
The three vans – each equipped with a doctor, pharmacist and driver - criss-cross the city to reach out to policemen either at police stations or police quarters. The vans are tasked with handling heart ailments, blood pressure and diabetes apart from common ailments (flu) and routine check-ups.
The three vans - part of 17 medical vans deployed in other parts – were inaugurated by police commissioner Dattatray Padsalgikar along with joint commissioner of police (crime) Deven Bharti. The vans cover south Mumbai by doing the rounds of different police stations; they visit nearly 15 places every alternate day from Monday to Saturday. On duty from 9.30am to 5.30pm, the vans provide medicines to police officers free-of-cost. Generally, policemen tend to neglect their health while performing their everyday duties and the vans are meant to remind them to take care of themselves too. The service is such that policemen need not visit doctors; rather, doctors will come to them for check-ups.
In June after launch of the service, around 1,900 benefited while July saw 4,075 policemen voluntarily visiting the vans for check-ups. One of the van doctors, Dr Yatin Bastav said, “We have received a great response from the police force where they are now paying more attention to their health. Policemen mostly suffer from heart ailments, blood pressure problems and obesity.”
Medical attention
Police inspector Vishwanath Mayekar attached to D.B. Marg police station said, “The service is extremely useful and has been lauded by the police force as we are often stressed due to lack of sleep and hectic working schedules.” Another officer Anil Giri said, “I have been experiencing muscle pain since a few months now but after getting treatment and medicines free-of-cost, I am relieved as compared to earlier months.”
Health problems
As per data procured from the police hospital in Byculla, nearly 60 per cent officers face common health problems such as hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. Adding to the problems is stress and acidity. However, being understaffed and working double shifts on occasions is to blame.
