PRASAD Chikitsa Mobile Hospital: Bring Healthcare to Remote Rural Communities in India this Giving Tuesday
PRASAD is a global, non-sectarian charitable organization committed to uplifting the lives of economically disadvantaged people around the world. We implement innovative, culturally responsive programs that address local needs through healthcare and sustainable community development in India, dental care in the United States, and eye care in Mexico, impacting thousands of people each year. Chief among our initiatives is PRASAD’s Mobile Hospital, which has been serving India’s Tansa Valley for 47 years. Each year of service is the result of the combined efforts of volunteers, donors, and PRASAD’s global fundraising initiatives. As Giving Tuesday approaches, we look back on how nearly five decades of compassion have been possible by our supporters.
About PRASAD
What began as a volunteer effort in the 1970s in India has grown into a respected humanitarian organization with branches in six countries, serving millions of people in need. PRASAD also holds Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
PRASAD is proud to be recognized as a top-rated nonprofit by leading evaluators, including a 4-Star nonprofit rating from Charity Navigator, the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (GuideStar), and Top-Rated Nonprofit status from GreatNonprofits. These distinctions reflect our commitment to accountability, transparency, and delivering meaningful, sustainable impact.
Learn more about GuideStar, including its Charity Check feature, here.
The Need & Our Services
In the rural Tansa Valley of India, 260,000 Adivasi men, women, and children live across 583 remote villages. Poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, and lack of healthcare are widespread. Many villagers do not have reliable transportation, and even when transportation is available, the long distances, travel costs, and poor road conditions make reaching a clinic extremely difficult.
Launched in 1978, the PRASAD Chikitsa Mobile Hospital is one of our earliest and most impactful healthcare initiatives, bringing essential medical services directly to the doorsteps of Adivasi communities for the past 47 years. As one of the first mobile hospitals in Maharashtra State, it removes many of the barriers that prevent villagers from receiving timely, quality healthcare.
The Mobile Hospital provides health education and screenings, as well as diagnosis and treatment for chronic illnesses such as tuberculosis, malnutrition, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. It offers first aid, basic medical care, and referrals to PRASAD Chikitsa’s Medical Centre for further or ongoing treatment. Villagers are also referred to eye surgery camps when needed. Healthcare workers conduct extensive community outreach to ensure that everyone who needs treatment knows how to access it.
To date, the Mobile Hospital has reached more than one million people living in remote villages who otherwise would not have access to essential healthcare. Today, it operates six days a week across six villages and provides approximately 4,500 patient visits each year.
Impact
The Mobile Hospital provides free screening, diagnosis, and treatment in multiple locations throughout the area. Its impact is measured through the number of individuals served, the diagnostic data collected for chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, the number of tuberculosis screenings and treatment enrollments, and the treatment of common conditions including skin infections. Beyond data, the lived experiences and personal stories of villagers underscore the vital importance of the Mobile Hospital in improving health and quality of life.
Services Provided
Health check-ups and medications are a crucial part of the Mobile Hospital’s services. Because healthcare facilities are often far away and transportation is limited or unaffordable, the Mobile Hospital offers free medical screenings and essential primary-level medications. Some blood tests and treatments are performed onsite, and patients requiring specialized care or diagnostics are referred to the PRASAD Chikitsa Medical Centre.
The Mobile Hospital also supports women’s health through the Menstrual Health Program. In many villages, women rely on cloth napkins during menstruation, which increases the risk of reproductive tract infections and potential infertility. To address this, PRASAD Chikitsa distributes single-use sanitary napkins at no cost, providing each woman of reproductive age with napkins during Mobile Hospital visits.
Sustaining and expanding the Mobile Hospital requires ongoing financial support. Historically, the program has been funded through foundations, corporations, government grants, and private donors looking to donate to a worthy cause. Moving forward, PRASAD’s global fundraising efforts will identify new funding opportunities in India and internationally to ensure that the Mobile Hospital continues providing essential healthcare services to more communities each year.
Success stories
Kamal Gopal Patil, a 74-year-old female resident of Adne had been experiencing itching and a rash on her back for the past two months. Despite attempting to treat her condition with over-the-counter medications from local chemist shops, Kamal found no relief. Upon examination by the MH doctor, Kamal was confirmed to have Tinea and was prescribed antifungal medicines and ointments for treatment. She received not only symptomatic treatment but also screening for co-morbidities, successfully ruling out hypertension and diabetes.
Parvati Ladku Gharat, a 73-year-old female resident of Dakivali had been experiencing dryness on her tongue for two weeks prior to her visit, which understandably caused her concern. At the MH, she received an exam and treatment with multivitamins and was also given dietary advice to help prevent deficiency disorders. Parvati was very pleased to feel healthy and free from any chronic illnesses.
Why Donor Support Matters
In rural India, transportation challenges are one of the greatest obstacles to healthcare. Many villagers cannot afford to travel long distances for basic medical care, and the journey itself can be time-consuming and exhausting. The Mobile Hospital eliminates these barriers by bringing high-quality healthcare directly into underserved communities. Your Giving Tuesday donation ensures that this lifeline of medical care remains available, reliable, and accessible to thousands of families who depend on it.
PRASAD’s global fundraising efforts are sustained by compassionate individual donors and purpose-driven businesses. If your company or employer is looking to donate to a cause this holiday season, PRASAD offers a variety of ways for organizations to join our mission, from monthly or annual online donations to in-kind gifts of services and resources. Learn more at https://www.prasad.org/support-our-work.
Through the kindness of donors the world over, and initiatives like our Mobile Hospital in India and eye surgery camps in Mexico, PRASAD makes life-changing services available in even the most inaccessible regions. The Holidays might be the Season of Giving, but your gift’s impact will be felt all year and around the globe.
