Support to Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) under NHM, now encompassing both NRHM and NUHM is a key strategy to facilitate access to public health care, particularly to people living in remote, difficult, under-served, and unreached areas. The objective of this strategy is to take healthcare to the doorstep of populations, particularly rural, vulnerable and under-served areas. This is not meant to transfer patients.
MMU services are envisaged to meet the technical and service quality standards for a Primary health Centre through the provision of a suggested package of services under 12 thematic areas- Maternal Health, Neonatal, and Infant Health, Child and Adolescent Health, Reproductive Health and Contraceptive Services, Management of Chronic Communicable Diseases, Management of Common Communicable Diseases & basic OPD care (acute simple illnesses), management of Common Non-Communicable Diseases, Management of mental Illness, Dental Care, Eye Care/ENT Care, Geriatric Care and Emergency Medicine. These services are provided free of cost through MMUs, besides enabling referrals.
There is usually one vehicle per MMU, however, in the case of more than one vehicle:
One vehicle is used for the transport of medical and para-medical personnel.
The second vehicle is used for carrying equipment/ accessories and basic laboratory facilities.
The third vehicle carries diagnostic equipment such as an X-Ray, ultrasound, ECG machine, and generator.