Boat clinics a boon for India's river islands
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In northeastern India, mobile boat clinics have become a lifeline for thousands of residents living on temporary river islands and sandbars, known as "chars," in Assam state. These remote communities often face challenges in accessing even basic healthcare due to limited facilities and a scarcity of qualified personnel, according to local government reports.
However, the Akha – Assamese for hope – boat network, launched in 2005, has bridged this healthcare gap, serving approximately 20,000 people each month. The initiative, supported by authorities and Unicef, primarily focuses on maternal and infant health, aiming to reduce mortality rates that surpass the national average. In Nalbari district, a resident, Rekibul Amin, highlighted the clinic's vital role, stating, "We are totally dependent on the boat clinic."
The network has expanded to 15 boats, providing doctors, medicines, vaccines, and basic laboratory services to 13 districts across Assam, where poverty and illiteracy also hinder healthcare access.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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