The free ‘Sanjeevani 108 Ambulance Service’ which has helped save thousands of lives since its inception in Chhattisgarh, is now getting ready to deal with the problem of a host of unwanted calls made at its call center in the city.
The Ambulance Service in now making all out efforts to prevent its phone lines from being overloaded by making a general appeal to the citizens not to make such calls which may affect serving those in emergency situations.
During the past few months, the control room of ‘108’ service in Raipur has received over 2.40 lakh unwanted calls, virtually clogging the important helpline.
Between January and June this year, executives of 108 ambulance service’s helpline have answered over 99,96,06 calls from across the State, of which 240650 calls turned out to be unwanted, said Public Relation Officer (PRO) of 108 service in the State Shibu Kumar.
Some make abusive remarks while some call just to irritate executives deployed in the helpline whereas several keep mum, said Shibu, elaborating that such unwanted phone calls by citizens are virtually clogging the helping of 108, which may cost lives of people in need.
Of the 2,40,650 unwanted calls received by 108 service helpline between January and June this year, 126248 calls were identified as nuisance calls, 69127 silent calls, 7504 abusive calls and 37753 child calls or prank calls.
At times we had thought of blocking such numbers but considering the fact that 108 is working ensuring timely medical assistance to people in need, we reject such ideas, said Shibu. He further explained that if such number would be blocked, these people would not be able to avail the service in situation of emergency.
“Those making such unwanted calls in the emergency helpline must realise the importance and challenges being faced by ‘108’ ambulance service. People should refrain themselves from being involved in such practice because such calls engage the helpline number creating problems for people in need. Parents should describe the importance and role of 108 service to their children so that prank calls could be prevented,” said Shibu.