The Street Medicine Programme was set up in 2006 to target a specific demographic group with health promotion and prevention activities, reaching the most destitute groups in Kolkata's streets. Most of the males that we help earn between Rs.40-60 (€0.60-€1.00) per day as rickshaw pullers, cycle van drivers, sweepers, paper collectors, waste disposal collectors, or daily labourers. The women often earn less, many of them working as maidservants or rag pickers. Some resort to begging. The majority of the children in these groups have no schooling, those that do often have an irregular attendance record. The general health condition of this group is poor - malnourishment is not uncommon and they suffer recurring incidences of coughs, colds, diarrhoea, and fever. Their awareness on health issues is minimal or non-existent. Toxic addiction, as well as physical and sexual abuse, is widespread.

Calcutta Rescue’s Community Outreach Programme was set up to reach these groups in specific areas scattered throughout the city of Kolkata, and in rural parts of West Bengal, to help them achieve a better state of health - physically, mentally and socially.

The programme aims to:

• create awareness among rural and urban slum communities about health education.
• provide treatment for scabies, de-worming, lice and supplies Vitamin A for children up to 12 years of age.
• operate through local clubs & liaises closely with the community to ensure cooperation.
• ensure target groups are fully appraised of all outreach activities through follow-up visits, monitoring of defaulters and house visits.
• acts as a referral centre for patients to our clinics.

Our community outreach initiative has two areas of focus:

Street Medicine Programme

Operating from an ambulance parked in the street, the Street Medicine team consists of a doctor and paramedics, and delivers holistic medical and social support to Kolkata’s sick and marginalized street dwellers, offering preventive and curative treatments as well as health education. Much of the treatment on the Street Medicine Programme focuses on de-worming, anti lice and scabies treatment and the administration of Vitamin A prophylaxis. Patients with common ailments are referred to one of our clinics or to Government facilities. Health education on topics such as Worm Infestation, Vitamin-A, Immunisation, Ante-Natal/Post Natal Care, Leprosy, Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, Hygiene, and nutrition are an integral part of the services offered.

Target Initiative Programme (TIP)

The TIP Programme  provides assistance to patients suffering from Vitamin A deficiencies and parasitic infestations like worms, lice and scabies. This programme is primarily an educational based initiative, giving more insight and knowledge to the marginalized poor, as well as the provision of medicine. The overall aim is to create, at the poorer end of the social scale, healthier and more health conscious communities.