New Delhi,Lok Sabha:With the objective to take health care to door step of the public in rural areas, especially in under-served areas Mobile Medical Units (MMU) have also been approved @ one MMU per district under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). Two kinds of MMUs are envisaged, one with diagnostic facilities for the states other than North-Eastern States, Himachal Pradesh and J&K. In addition, for the North Eastern States, Himachal Pradesh and J&K, specialized facilities and services such as X ray, ECG and ultra-sound have been proposed to be provided due to their difficulty hilly terrain, non-approachability by public transport, long distances to be covered etc.
The states are, however, expected to address the diversity and ensure the adoption of most suitable and sustainable model for MMUs to suit their local requirements. The funds are released to States/UTs Government as per their requirements in their respective annual NRHM programme implementation plans.
Pathology Labs facility is available at the level of Primary Health Centre and Community Health Centres which are established in rural areas as per population norms.The Mobile Medical Units have in fact provided service to the underserved areas and areas having difficult/hilly terrain in the country.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Smt. Panabaaka Lakshmi in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.