Not-for-profit
Year launched: 2007Our mission is to eradicate the lack of health care facilities in rural India through the deliverance of affordable quality health care by opening primary health care units in those remote villages where health care delivery system of the state is sparse. Our vision is to open hundreds of units in the remotest corners of India.
There are currently 5 units operating in four districts of West Bengal. The health centers provide primary level of care excluding maternal and child health services. There are 4 departments running simultaneously in each of the centres namely general medicine, eye, dental and homoeopathy.
All diagnostic tests are out-sourced to the nearest pathological laboratory, while blood sugar tests are done in the centres itself. Patients are provided with spectacles at a subsidized rate along with required power glasses. The Eye Department identifies cataract/pterygium patients and the Rural Health Care Foundation arranges for free or subsidized surgery collaboration with various Rotary Eye Hospitals. Free cleft lip/palate operations of children are being arranged in association with Smile Train Foundation. Wheel chairs, blankets and crutches have also been distributed to needy patients. The health centres are open 6 days a week from 9am to 6pm.
Each center is manned by a doctor, pharmacist, paramedic, dentist and optometrist. There's an active database of doctors as the turnover is high. These medical professionals are assisted by 5 support staff. To overcome language and cultural constraints, all support staff are local residents. The centres are rented out and accommodation is provided to the staff. They charge a nominal consultation fee of US$0.80 as registration charge in order to avoid misuse of services and to make the project sustainable. The fee includes the provision of 7-days worth of medicines and covers the operating costs of the centers. The medicines are procured by the team to make available at a lower price. The high volume of patients has helped make the centers to become sustainable.
Additional Information In 2012 the Rural Health Care Foundation was awarded the 'Social Enterprise of the Year' in April; the Karmaveer Puraskaar, a National People's Awards for Citizen Social Justice and Action instituted by the citizens and people of India; the Mahindra and Mahindra Spark The Rise Award (both in November). During 2013, the Foundation hopes to open several new centres in order to establish their organization on a national scale.
More than 2,000,000 patients were seen between 2012 and 2013
