Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)
Mangaluru, Jun 24: KMC Hospital, part of Manipal Health Enterprises, on Wednesday June 24 announced the launch of its wide network of ambulance service called 'Manipal Ambulance Response Service (MARS)' and emergency number 0824-2222227.
The official inauguration of the ambulance service and the emergency number will be held on Friday June 26 at 10 am at KMC Hospital in the presence of health minister U T Khadar, ACP (traffic) Udaya Nayak, and superintendent of police (SP) Dr Sharanappa.
This was announced at a press meet by unit head of KMC Dr Sagir and KMC medical superintendent Dr Anand Venugopal.
"This clinical service has been added to enhance patient centricity which is one of our novelties. MARS will help us cater to the patients better with added medical services equipped in the ambulance itself. The emergency number will not only give out directions in handling the initial criticality but also provide that extra bit of time before the person is exported to our world class emergency service," said Dr Sagir Siddiqui.
Dr Anand Venugopal said, "During medical emergency time plays a very crucial role. Swift action and precise treatment during the patient's transit is of utmost importance and enhances outcome. MARS is a complete medical emergency solution which offers the most advanced, comprehensive service and transportation during medical emergency. ALS (advanced life support) and BLS (basic life support) ambulances will be stationed at crucial junctions in the city round the clock to attend to patients in distress."
They also said that if patients come to KMC Hospital or any government hospital by ambulance they would not be charged, but if they go to any other private hospital, they would be charged a nominal fee as per existing charges.
A press note from KMC Hospital adds, "MARS will provide a total monitored patient transportation during an emergency. This service will help community at large to save precious lives during 'golden hour'. In case of any medical distress or emergency, the patients can dial the number 2222227 and their criticality will be addressed in the shortest period of time by trained medical representatives from KMC Hospital. Additionally, besides MARS launch (of four ambulances), KMC will partner with 13 other ambulances in different regions like Chikkamagaluru, Madikeri, Uddane, Kumble, Kasargod, Kanhangad, Pariyaram, Thaliparamba, Kannur etc and also intend to add more ambulances under the service called MARS connect.
"The centralized 24x7 call centre and well-trained emergency response centre physicians will attend the emergency calls and attend to it accordingly. All the ambulance drivers will be trained on basic life support programmes to manage adult and pediatric emergency. Equipped with air-conditioner and advanced cardiac life support, patients can now have their treatment started in the ambulance itself, even before reaching the medical destination," the media release adds.