Doctor on Wheels: this physician is taking healthcare to the doorsteps of senior citizens
‘Doctor on Wheels’ initiative was started by Dr Swaminathan Chandramouli, a Madurai resident, with the idea of taking medical services to a diverse population, especially the elderly people above 60 years of age.
Every ten days, Dr Swaminathan Chandramouli arrives at Prabhakar Rao's residence in Madurai in a modified Maruti Eeco ambulance, which he refers to as a "mini ICU." This specialised vehicle is equipped with essential ICU equipment including infusion pumps, syringe drivers, oxygen cylinders, and more.
During these visits, he conducts thorough check-ups on Rao's 83-year-old mother, addressing issues such as fluid accumulation in her legs, treating urinary tract infections or bed sores as needed.
Rao came to know about Dr Chandramouli when he came to visit his colony with his mobile van. A little less than three years ago, Rao's father-in-law, aged 93, fell ill. Due to the advanced age of his father-in-law, it was challenging to take him to a doctor's clinic for treatment. This is when Rao reached out to Dr Chandramouli for the first time.
“This mobile van is a great initiative as it is offering healthcare services for the elderly at the doorstep. There has never been a time when we called him and he did not respond,” Rao tells SocialStory.
This ‘Doctor on Wheels' initiative was started in 2019 by Dr Chandramouli , a Madurai resident. The idea was to take medical services to a diverse population, especially the elderly people above 60 years of age, to their doorstep.
“This mobile clinic aims to make medical services accessible for people. We treat elderly people, and people with disabilities,” he tells SocialStory.
Finding purpose
Dr. Swaminathan Chandramouli
Born in Tiruchirappalli of Tamil Nadu, Dr Chandramouli was raised by a single parent in Canada. After completing his schooling, he returned to India in 2006 to pursue higher education in medicine.
He pursued MBBS and post-graduation in emergency medicine. After completing his education in 2015, he joined a private medical college in the intensive care unit as a junior consultant.
While working at the hospital, he found that many patients were denied admission because of the non-availability of beds in the ICU or because they could not afford the cost of treatment.
This realisation along with his deep connection with his grandmother nudged him to start a service for the elderly. “Old people need more love and care as patients. They are just big babies who require an expert who can sit and attentively listen to their health concerns,” he says.
He further highlights the numerous challenges faced by elderly individuals in reaching healthcare providers, especially the journey from and to hospitals.
“Elderly people need to be carried to the hospital, then they have to go through long queues at the clinic, all for a brief meeting with the doctor," he adds.
The 34-year-old doctor states that in most foreign countries doctors visit senior citizens at home. “I wondered that when food and groceries can be delivered at your doorstep why treatment and medicines can’t?”
So to provide a solution to this problem while fulfilling his desire to work for the elderly people and society at large, he decided to start ‘Doctor on Wheels.’
Healthcare at the doorstep
Starting from just eight cases a month, Dr Chandramouli now receives over 600 cases in a month.
He has a team of eight people which includes–physiotherapists, a physician assistant, a radiologist, nurses, and a driver. The team visits patients for regular follow-ups either weekly, bi-weekly or monthly depending on their conditions.
The doctor starts his day at 3 am, visiting homes until 10 am. He runs his clinic from 10 to 12 in the morning and from 7 to 9 in the evening. His house visits continue from 4 to 7 in the evening.
Initially, the doctor handled emergency cases, but now he follows an appointment system.
“It was getting tough for me to rush to so many places one after the other. I only get two to three hours of rest in a day and in case an emergency happens my body won’t allow me to function. So I decided to follow an appointment system instead,” he says.
Doctor on Wheels caters to people in Madurai and nearby districts like Virudhunagar, Sivaganga and Dindigul. The doctor charges a fee ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 800 depending on the distance the team has to travel.
“I want to do it all for free but I would not be able to sustain the initiative that way. Right now all the expenses are being met by my pocket only,” he adds.
However, he adds that when they feel the families are poor, they do not charge any amount.
Explaining the process he says that for a new patient, he tries to familiarise himself with the patient and listen to their problems. Post that he suggests a treatment plan to them accordingly.
The team offers services which include basic consultations, palliative care, and post-hospitalisation support. The team not only delivers medications but also collects blood samples for tests and offers facilities such as portable X-rays, and more.
“As a doctor I know my limitations in treating patients at home. Cases like bed sores and UTIs can be treated at home. However if it is something serious like a stroke or a cardiovascular issue I advise them on the hospitals they can go to for treatment. It goes without saying that this mobile van cannot be a replacement for hospitals,” he says.
The team is planning to start a centre in Madurai which will encompass an old age home and a two-tier hospital.
Dr Chandramouli’s journey has been full of challenges. The doctor says that long working hours and commutes are the most difficult part of the job.
“We start early in the morning to avoid traffic and sometimes we have to travel to far off distances so commuting definitely becomes an issue,” he adds.
He says that he works over 14 hours a day and this leaves him with very little time to spend with his family. “My wife and my child have been a great support in my journey however I do regret not being able to give them enough time,” he adds.
However he says that it is his passion that has driven him to walk on this path.
“Seeing that smile on the faces of those elderly people as I listen to them truly warms my heart. Knowing that I can make a positive difference in somebody's life every single day is incredibly fulfilling," he says.
Edited by Affirunisa Kankudti