What is an MMU?

A Mobile Medicare Unit is a moving dispensary, manned with a qualified doctor, pharmacist, social worker and driver. It is fully equipped with medicines. Treatment and medicines are dispensed free of cost or at a nominal rate to needy older people. All MMUs have referral tie-ups with local hospitals for complicated and advanced cases.

Promoting health consciousness amongst the elderly and their family members and encouraging attitudinal transformation with respect to the well-being of the older persons are integral parts of the programme.

Besides providing healthcare, MMUs take on individual initiatives within their areas of work such as:

Disaster Relief:
During major disasters such as those in Tsunami in southern part of India, Earthquake in J&K and Gujarat, Super Cyclone in Orissa, MMUs immediately got involved in rescue and relief work in the affected areas.

Community Development:
The MMU staff in MMUs counsel people on hygiene and sanitation, and on the other health related aspects. They also mobilize volunteers to look after older people in their localities.

Awareness Camps:
Awareness camps are held in rural areas to educate the people on various diseases and their symptoms, and what precautions they should take to ward off illness.

Specialised Camps:
Concentrating on one particular disease, hygiene, cleanliness and nutrition are held in villages. Through these camps it is not only the elderly who are educated but also their carers, guiding them to look out for symptoms etc. Elderly people suffering from the disease are treated and given medication. Referrals are also made for specialised cases to local hospitals. elderly who are educated but also their carers, guiding them to look out for symptoms etc. Elderly people suffering from the disease are treated and given medication. Referrals are also made for specialised cases to local hospitals.