102 Ambulance in Odisha from July

The Odisha Government is all set to roll out 102 ambulance service, a dedicated referral transport for pregnant women, newborn and infants, in July this year.

The service will complement the 108 Emergency Ambulance service and will be launched in all districts simultaneously. More than 500 ambulance will be deployed under the service at a ratio of one vehicle per 50,000 population.

The government has also decided to provide free mobile ambulance service for sick children aged between 0-18 years under the Rashtriya Bal Suraksha Karyakram (RBSK) across the state.

Briefing press after the valedictory function of the annual review of National Health Mission (NHM) Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) 2013-14 with focus on reproductive maternal newborn and adolescent health (RMNCH+A) in the city here last evening, Health and Family Welfare minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said around 350 ‘102’ ambulances and 728 mobile ambulances for children under RBSK scheme will run in the state from the next month.

The existing Janani Express fleet will be merged with the new referral transport system that will specifically deal with emergency healthcare requirements of pregnant women, new mothers, newborn and infants.

The service will be available round-the-clock on call through the 102 toll-free number.

The State has also firmed up plans to operationalise the 104 Health helpline for providing medical consultations over phone to the needy public.