What this scheme offers
Launched in August 2021, Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam ('Medicine in search of people') flips the usual model: instead of patients travelling to a clinic, health workers come to the home. Teams screen people for diabetes, high blood pressure and other non-communicable diseases, deliver regular medicines to the door, and provide home-based physiotherapy, palliative care and dialysis support for the bedridden and elderly. More than 2.25 crore people have received services and 4.75 crore follow-up services have been delivered. It won the UN Inter-Agency Task Force award in 2024 and continues under the new government.
Who is eligible
- Tamil Nadu residents, with focus on people aged 45+ and those with diabetes, hypertension or other chronic conditions.
- Bedridden, elderly and persons needing palliative care or physiotherapy at home.
- No income limit and no fee.
Documents required
- None required to receive screening; Aadhaar/ration card may be noted for records
How to apply
- No application needed — health workers from the local Primary Health Centre cover households in their area.
- To request a visit (for example for a bedridden family member), contact your nearest PHC or village health nurse.
- Regular medicines for diagnosed conditions are then delivered to the home on a schedule.