For robust healthcare service in the city, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia flagged off 55 ambulances of the Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS) under “Free Emergency Ambulance Service” on Sunday. The Delhi Government had announced to launch 110 CATS ambulances to cater to the people for health emergency. These ambulances are well-equipped with modern medical facility required for a critical patient. Out of the 110 ambulances, 10 advanced life support ambulances cost `33 lakh each and 100 basic life support ambulances cost `22.85 lakh each.
Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Satyendar Jain said, “From now on, if you feel sick… people can call 102 number to avail ambulance at their door step. These ambulance will not only cater to the patients of the Government hospitals, patients can also use them go to the private hospital.”
“We are also working on the “Call 102” mobile app, by which people can get connected to the ambulance service. Through this app, the user will get the name and phone number of the ambulance driver who will pick up the patient from the spot,” he said, adding that this “Call 102” mobile app may take at least one month. These modernised ambulances will help the patient be transferred from one hospital to the other.
The Government will launch remaining 55 ambulances in the coming months.
The Minister also launched Modern CATS Control Room which will look after the ambulance service in the city and trace the exact location of the destination of the ambulance. Jain appealed to the people not to make fake calls as according to the CATS control room, about 70 per cent of fake calls were recorded on Saturday during the testing period.
Earlier, the Delhi Government had 165 ambulances which were helping people in the need of the hour.
“The Delhi Government wants to make robust healthcare system. We have started mohalla clinics, polyclinics and hospital beds will increased from 10,000 to 20,000 by 2017 end. To connect all these things, the Government has started modernised ambulance service for patient’s health care,” Jain said.
Speaking on the occasion, Sisodia said, “The CATS control room is located at laxmi Nagar, where people can go and see importance of ambulance service during the need of the hour. I appeal to the people to take their children there to enhance their knowledge. The CATS Control Room will work simultaneously. It will keep the record of every minute where the ambulance is making its trip in a day.” He added that this will increase efficiency and stop corruption and middlemen.
Many a times, people do not give clear way on road to the ambulance for quick trip, said the Deputy Minister. Taking a serious note on this issue, he said, “We have installed front cameras in these ambulance and whichever vehicle on the road will not give the way to the ambulance, the camera will record the number and the vehicle owner will be penalised for `2,000.”