In a unique initiative in Wayanad, Kerala, a government Family Health Centre in Sultan Batheri will soon offer free electric auto rides to patients. The initiative is to help patients with the first and last mile connectivity from the health centre.

“We have a lot of patients who are over 60 plus years coming to the non-communicable diseases (NCD) wing of our clinic. I’ve seen them struggle to walk back to the bus stand and I decided that we needed to offer them an easier commute,” said Dr Dahar Mohammad, the Medical Officer In-charge of Noolpuzha family health centre.

Dr Dahar then proposed the idea to the Noolpuzha Panchayat and after discussions, Rs 2 lakh was set aside for an electric auto for the family health centre. The e-autos function with lithium batteries and only need to be recharged. Dr Dahar says that he decided on e-autos as they are eco-friendly, don’t require fuel and don’t have recurring expenses.

“We bought the auto last week and we’ve planned to inaugurate it on November 1- on Kerala Piravi - the day that marks the birth of the state.  We will be offering free rides to and from the health centre to the bus stand. The offer is for elderly patients, pregnant women, and young mothers. This way, then can get down at the nearest bus stand and take a bus home,” Dr Dahar added. Dr Dahar hopes that other family health centres around Wayanad will also address the first and last mile connectivity issues around their centres and offer eco-friendly solutions for the problem.

This story was originally published on The News Minute and is reprinted here with permission. It can be viewed on https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/come-nov-1-family-health-centre-kerala-offer-free-e-auto-rides-patients-90288