The much-awaited free emergency ambulance service will be launched across the state by December end. Ambulances with advanced medical facility would reach on the spot within 15-20 minutes after receiving the call. A common helpline number 108, willl be made available during an emergency situation.
Health minister Suresh Shetty on Thursday said that though the project was delayed, it would be one of its kind when it starts.
“By the end of December, a total of 937 ambulances will provide the service. There will be two categories of ambulances — one with basic life support system and others with advanced life support system — to help patients reach nearby hospitals. The response time for the ambulances to reach the spot would be a maximum of 15 to 20 minutes,” he said. Mr Shetty said that out of the total ambulances, 233 ambulances will be equipped with advanced life support system. By dialing 108, people can avail the free emergency service wherever and whenever required, he said. Each ambulance consists of a doctor and trained medical staff. The ambulances would also have GPS and wireless system to identify the location of the ambulances.
Vikar Kharge, commissioner and MD, National Rural Health Mission said that the state has 2,300 basic ambulances for treating non-emergency patients and new ambulances would be of additional help.
“These ambulances will take patients to 632 hospitals identified by the government. Out of them, 500 are government hospitals, while the rest 132 are private hospitals covered under ‘Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayi Yojana’, the centrally funded health insurance scheme,” Mr Kharge said.
Every year, around 9,000 people lose lives in road accidents, out of which 4,000 are from Mumbai alone.