City hospital launches round-the-clock medical bus services for rural communities

Health Minister Ma. Subramanian on Monday flagged off a mobile medical unit, ‘Health on Wheels’, operated by SIMS Hospital, to provide round-the-clock healthcare services to rural and underserved communities.

The initiative, described as a 24×7 digital medical bus, offers on-the-go consultations, health screenings, vaccinations and basic diagnostic services. The unit is staffed by dedicated doctors and nursing personnel and is supported by teleconsultations with specialists across multiple disciplines.

Mr. Subramanian said initiatives such as mobile medical units help strengthen access to healthcare by bringing services closer to communities, particularly in rural areas.

The launch took place in the presence of South Chennai MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian, Virugambakkam MLA A.M.V. Prabhakara Raja and SRM Group chairman Ravi Pachamuthu.

Doctors said that the mobile clinic enables paperless end-to-end patient care, including digital registration, consultation, diagnostics, referrals and follow-up, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances or wait at hospitals for routine care.

The bus will also conduct preventive health check-ups aimed at early detection of non-communicable diseases and improving immunisation coverage.

According to SIMS Hospital, the mobile unit will conduct regular health camps in villages, schools, colleges and industrial areas around the city.