Glenmark Foundation, C-NES, and Darrang District Administration launch boat clinic programme

Glenmark Foundation announces a strategic partnership with the Centre for North East Studies & Policy Research (C-NES) and the District Administration of Darrang to launch a boat clinic program. This programme focuses on maternal and child health by targeting the most vulnerable populations, to ensure children have a healthier start in life. It aims to deliver essential healthcare services to remote riverine communities, particularly addressing the challenges posed by seasonal flooding. 

Access to healthcare in remote communities is a significant challenge due to geographical barriers and frequent flooding, which often isolates these areas and disrupts healthcare delivery. The boat clinic initiative is designed to overcome these challenges by providing a mobile healthcare unit that can navigate flood-affected regions.

The Boat Clinic will provide basic health care services, through a specially developed boat equipped with a laboratory and a pharmacy. A medical team, including doctors, nurses, lab technicians and pharmacists, will conduct regular health camps through a network of community health workers and organisers in the district.

By offering services such as immunisations, prenatal care, and health education, the programme aims to ensure continuous healthcare access, improve health outcomes in these vulnerable areas and foster sustainable development. 

“With the launch of the Boat Clinic an important gap in the health services has been covered and will be of immense help in providing basic health care services in the far-flung areas of the district” said Nayana Parasher DPM, NHM Darrang.

In his speech, Munindra Nath Ngatey, District Commissioner, Darrang, stated the boat clinic launched will further enhance efforts to extend health services to the district’s remote river islands.

“C-NES appreciates this gesture which will help bring the basics of healthcare to many more of the marginalised in Assam and improve the health scenario overall in the state,” said Sanjoy Hazarika, Founder and Managing Trustee, C-NES.  

Cheryl Pinto, Executive Director – Corporate Services, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, highlighted the benefits of multi-sector partnerships saying that innovation can bring about change and greater outreach when done in collaboration with partners, and this initiative exemplifies the benefit it extends