ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Jun 13: Arunachal Pradesh to have 108 toll-free Emergency Response System (ERS) Ambulances service with basic life support equipment from this month. The 108 Emergency Ambulance Service is a 24x7 service, which anyone can avail by dialing the number 108 on their phone in the case of any emergency.
 Speaking to the media, Nodal Officer (PPP) National Health Mission, Dr. Bombey Tayeng informed that 108 Ambulance service is the programme of the central government and NHM is implementing agency under PPP mode in the state. As per the program, under Directorate of Health Service (DHS), 78 numbers of Basic Life Support Ambulances has been procured.
 ‘As of now, the state had only patient transport ambulances, whereas other states have already started the 108 ERS Ambulances since 2005 under NHM where common people can dial the toll-free number and seek help for emergency services,' Dr Tayeng said.
She further added, 108 ERS is not a normal ambulance service; it will have one trained driver (Pilot) who will work as a first responder and an Emergency Medical Technician (trained Nurse or Health Assistant).
A separate call center has been established at Itanagar that is supposed to be ready by June 15  and the whole project is scheduled to be launched from June 21 next, added the Nodal Officer.
While elaborating about the project, Dr. Tayeng added, the 108 service is already active in  different states whereas Arunachal Pradesh is yet to start it.  'It is the Secretary of Health who took special interest along with other officers to start this noble project,' she said.
 She further informed that 10 extra ambulances have been contributed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) under its CSR scheme making the total to 88. Moreover,33 ambulances have been already distributed to various districts in view of the COVID situation. Now 55 of them are parked at RG stadium and it will be distributed as per need basis in different districts.
When queried about the involvement of GVK group (NGO), Nodal Officer informed that NHM floated the open tender as it was centrally sponsored programme to be run under PPP mode on February last.  GVK an Indian not-for-profit organization with more experience in this field with active services in different states won the tender and MoU was inked on April last.
Earlier, informing about the 108 ERS, Health Minister Alo Libang stated that preparation is underway to start the service by June end. 'This 108 service will be run through a call centre and will be a 24/7 service. It will be fitted with first aid and lifesaving equipment, including oxygen. Drivers have to be trained and should have basic knowledge of lifesaving techniques.'
He also added that the service has not been started till now as drivers and emergency medical technicians are on a weeklong training.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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