The Thripunithura Municipality will be going elderly-friendly soon, thanks to ‘Vayomithram’ project. It is an initiative of the Kerala Social Security Mission (KSSM) which provides health care to the elderly (above the age of 65) living in towns.
Under the Vayomithram scheme, medicines are supplied free of cost to the beneficiaries. Besides, special medical camps and picnics are conducted as part of the project. The scheme has been successfully implemented in Kochi Corporation and nine municipalities in the district.
Vayomithram is an Anganwadi-based programme, which is conducted for half a day or two to three hours either once a week or once in two weeks.
The time spent in a clinic depends on the number of elderly people coming in.
The municipality is planning to conduct mobile clinics once a week at 20 identified places under the project.
Anganwadis were chosen where no government dispensaries or hospitals were available.
“One Anganwadi unit caters to at least two wards,” said R. Chandrika Devi, chairperson, Thripunithura municipality.
The KSSM has provided ₹10 lakh for purchasing medicines. There are 50-odd medicines available for the elderly. A doctor, a nurse, and a junior public health nurse are part of every team that visits Anganvadi clinics.
Space for clinic
“The municipality will be providing a room on the ground floor of its office building for opening a regular Vayomitram clinic. All facilities required to start the clinic are ready,” said Mrs. Chandrika.
