With an aim to achieve uniformity in the health sector, especially on the life-saving ambulances being successfully run by the GVKEMRI-108 service, a national ambulance code has been implemented in Uttarakhand.
Under the code, the colour, design and pattern of the ambulance would be the same and any kind of advertisement, name of company or hospital would not be strictly displayed on the life saving ambulances.
Since its on May 15, 2008, the fleet of life saving ambulances have been catering the medical, fire and police needs of residents, who are living in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of Uttarakhand.
Out of the total 8,33,279 calls received by the department, 5,99,688 were emergency calls handled by the trained Emergency Medical Technicians. Department officials told that 5,75,517 cases and 91,971 cases were related to medical emergency and police cases respectively whereas 5,997 cases were inferno related.
The trained EMTs have handled 2,21,978 pregnancy cases so far across the State and 4,795 births took place in the moving life saving ambulances in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of Uttarakhand. Interestingly, more than 67,861 road traffic cases and 13,505 cardiac related cases were also handled by the trained medical staff of the GVKEMRI-108 service.
After considering the exceptional work done by the fleet of life saving ambulances in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of the Uttarakhand, the State Government has also launched Kushiyon-Ki-Sawari project to drop the newly become mothers to their respective homes on 19 September, 2011.
Since its launching, a total of 85,868 drops have been done under the project. Well established department sources revealed that the service was launched during the BJP regime in Uttarakhand. Ironically, both major political parties of Uttarakhand including BJP and Congress were continuously trying to gain the political mileage since its launching.
Even slogans were also displayed on the ambulance after the fleet of life saving ambulances gained popularity among the residents and opposition and ruling party had verbal confrontation over the issue. Sources confirmed that with the implementation of the national code for the life saving ambulances, all ambulances would follow the same pattern.
One of the department sources who wished anonymity told The Pioneer that every possible step would be taken by the 108-service for providing immediate medical and other emergency cases to the victims.
He told that the pattern of all life saving ambulances would be completed by the end of this month and the functioning of the life saving ambulances would be the same and medical and other assistance would be provided free of cost to the victims.