Uday Singh Gope is a 62-year old man who resides in a remote village of Banabinj in Ranchi’s West Singhbhum district. Debilitated by hypertension, Gope had been spending most of his time bedridden and battling weakness, abdominal pain, and other ailments. Struggling with financial constraints and lack of proper healthcare facilities near him, Gope’s condition had worsened. 

However, September 19, 2024, Gope saw a ray of hope when a village health worker informed The Hans Foundation’s (THF) Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) team about his condition. The MMU staff promptly arrived at Uday’s home and provided him all necessary medical intervention. With constant monitoring and regular follow ups, Uday regain mobility and his health returned to normal by November. 

While Uday’s journey from despair to hope is indeed endearing, it also sheds light on the stark disparity between the rural and urban healthcare in India. As per the National Health Profile, while the rural India comprises 65% population of India, it has only 0.8 public hospitals per 100,000 people as compared to urban regions which have 1.3 government hospitals.

Hans Mobile Medical Units: Lifeline to Remote Communities

Understanding this stark divide, THF has been rewriting the narrative of rural healthcare through its flagship program of Hans Mobile Medical Units (MMUs). These state-of-the-art units, equipped with advanced diagnostic tools, essential medicines, and staffed by highly skilled healthcare professionals, serve as lifelines for underserved villages like Banabinj.

Operating on the principle of ‘fixed time, fixed place,’ these MMUs ensure timely and accessible healthcare delivery, offering critical medical interventions to individuals like Uday. Beyond saving lives, they play a pivotal role in reducing out-of-pocket expenses for communities with limited or no financial resources, fostering hope and resilience in some of the most vulnerable regions.

Whether navigating the dense forests of Jharkhand or the hilly terrains of Uttrakhand, THF’s MMUs, since 2021, have touched 10 states, 62 districts, and over 12,000 villages, delivering primary healthcare to 10.77 million individuals till now. As of December 2024, nearly 514 MMUs are actively providing treatment for a range of communicable and non-communicable diseases, while also promoting preventive care, maternal and child health, and fostering health-seeking behavior across India.

A New Dawn of Hope

Building on the 15 years of impactful service, THF is now poised to expand its healthcare reach with the launch of Swasthya Cities. This ambitious initiative aims to extend programs like the MMUs to 20 cities by 2030, addressing critical challenges of accessibility, affordability, and awareness. With this vision, THF is paving the way for a future where narratives like Uday’s are no longer rare but a common reality, exemplifying hope, resilience, and equitable healthcare for all.