Mangalore: Dakshina Kannada Gets Seven More ‘108’ Ambulances

Pics: Sphoorty Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Mar 27: The district, which already has been provided with 12 ‘108’ ambulances, got seven more on Saturday March 27. District in-charge minister, Krishna J Palemar, inaugurated the seven ambulances at a small function held in the city today. District deputy commissioner, V Ponnuraj, was present. The new ambulances will be deployed in Mulky, Kadaba, Kaniyoor, Naravi, Venur and Punjalakatte besides one more place that is yet to be decided.

‘108’ ambulances cater to the needs of the people in emergency cases relating to accidents, delivery and other emergencies, free of cost. Each of these vehicles is equipped with three staff, including the driver and staff nurses. These ambulances have been equipped with emergency treatment devices in addition to implements needed to cut the trees, plants and other vegetation that block the road under emergency conditions. This ambulance service is currently available in Wenlock Hospital in the city, in addition to Bajpe, Ullal, Uppinangady, Moodbidri, Suratkal, Sullia, Subrahmanya, Puttur, B C Road, Vittal and Ujire primary health centres.

This service, started in November 2008 with private public participation with the involvement of Emergency Management and Research Institute, a non-profit organization, has added to the healthcare sector of the district, by catering to about 4,300 calls. Majority of calls pertaining to pregnant women in labour, accident cases, etc.

The government has the ambitious plans of starting ‘104’ ambulance services in the near future, in which case, ambulances will also have doctors and elaborate facilities for treating patients on the spot, that include performing of surgeries.