Mobile medical vans to keep Mumbai cops fit on bandobast

Rakesh Maria launches initiative to ensure the city’s policemen don’t end up ignoring early signs of illnesses

After Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria launched two mobile medical vans last week, cops on bandobast duty have been able to drop into the clinics-on-wheels.

A mobile medical van outside Nagpada Hospital

The vehicles will tour the city to ensure Mumbai’s policemen, who often ignore initial signs of illnesses due to their busy schedules, get treatment in the initial stages of illnesses, especially in the monsoon.

“The vans, which are equipped with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist and two helpers, will tour police colonies at Malvani, Malad, Santacruz, Bandra, Nagpada, Dadar, Mankhurd and Chembur, as well as bandobast areas on scheduled days of the week,” said SM Patil, police surgeon from Nagpada Police Hospital.

Presently, Mumbai Police has 12 hospitals for a force of around 42,000 policemen. But due to their busy schedules, cops seldom land up for a check-up. “Cops often ignore their health due to long duty hours. Only when their condition worsens, do they seek medical help. This has resulted in fatal cases in the past,” said Maria.

While treatment for fever, cough, cold, wounds and blood pressure will be tackled in the vans, the medical attendants will recommend hospital check-ups when required. Families of policemen will also be able to avail of this facility.

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