In the heart of tribal Southern Odisha— inside thick forests and rugged terrain, healthcare is finding a new road to reach people. TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL), is transforming access to medical care through its Mobile Health Dispensary (MHD) initiative, which has already reached more than 2,01,000 people across 1,018 remote villages in the past year alone.
This quiet revolution in community health is unfolding in the deeply tribal districts of Koraput and Malkangiri, where TPSODL’s fleet of mobile health units travels across challenging landscapes to bring doctors, medicines, and health education right to the doorsteps of families. Each MHD unit is equipped with a doctor, medical support staff, and a community mobilizer, and offers free consultations, treatment for common illnesses, and awareness of hygiene and preventive care.
The mobile teams covered 510 villages in Koraput district and 508 villages in Malkangiri. Villagers, often living miles from the nearest health centre, have come to rely on these dispensaries’ dependable and regular visits.
For Budra Gouda, a resident of Boipariguda in Koraput, the presence of TPSODL’s MHD has been a lifeline. “The team visits us regularly, checks our health, and gives us medicines. We feel cared for. It’s like having a doctor at our doorstep,” he shared gratefully, echoing the sentiment of many others in his village.
These mobile clinics treat a variety of common health issues such as colds, fevers, respiratory infections, and skin diseases. TPSODL has also introduced eye check-ups and dental screenings in areas where specialised services are almost non-existent, ensuring more holistic healthcare support.
Beyond the regular MHD rounds, TPSODL extended its impact by organizing an impressive 1,413 health and awareness camps in 2023–24. This included 318 general health camps in Koraput and 271 in Malkangiri, which served hundreds of additional residents with structured medical services. Specialized efforts included 27 senior citizen health camps, 14 eye screening camps, and 12 dental camps, ensuring that vulnerable and high-need segments of the population received focused care.
Health education has been a cornerstone of the initiative. A total of 766 awareness camps were conducted to promote preventive healthcare and hygiene practices—emphasizing the importance of handwashing, clean drinking water, nutrition, and timely treatment. These awareness sessions have significantly improved the community understanding of disease prevention and healthy habits.
Adding to its commitment, TPSODL also organized five mega health camps, which brought together various services—from diagnostics to consultations—in a single location, creating an efficient and accessible one-stop health platform for entire communities.
TPSODL’s efforts also extended to supporting emergency medical infrastructure through two blood donation camps, held in Jeypore and Rayagada. These camps not only helped build local blood reserves but also encouraged voluntary participation and reinforced the value of civic health responsibility.
At the heart of this massive operation are the community mobilizers—local individuals trained to act as bridges between healthcare professionals and the villagers. Their deep local knowledge and ability to connect culturally have proven vital. They help spread awareness, ensure participation, and encourage families to make informed health choices, making the MHD model deeply effective and sustainable.
Speaking on the occasion of World Health Day, Mr Amit Kumar Garg, CEO of TPSODL, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to the people of Southern Odisha. “We believe health is the foundation of a strong and happy community. Our Mobile Health Dispensaries are a step towards making healthcare accessible to every individual, no matter how remote the village is. Seeing the positive change in people’s attitudes towards health gives us hope and encouragement to continue and expand this mission. On this World Health Day, we reaffirm our commitment to serve and uplift the communities of Southern Odisha.”
As the vans continue to navigate through winding roads and forest trails, what they deliver is far more than just medicines—they bring trust, healing, and renewed confidence in the future.
