64 ambulances earmarked as hi-tech life support vans

While 57 ambulances are already known to have Multi Para Monitors and 28 with ventilators, the ambulances will be revamped and equipment usually seen in Intensive Care Units will be installed. 

“The advance life support vehicles will have ventilators, defibrillated with the Multi Para Monitors and syringe pump and volume infusion pump. This will benefit patients who are being transferred from a Primary or a Secondary care to a Tertiary care. They will get care continuum – they will continue to derive the same care as they would get in an ICU setup,” said Prabudoss, head of the GVK EMRI which operates the 108 ambulance service. 

“This being done to ensure the outcome is better when they are received in a tertiary care institution,” he added. The ambulance service had also introduced a mobile application, which is being used on pilot basis – and will be launched soon – to locate the distress calls they receive, with an aim to reduce the response time. Stating that it has already seen a progress, Prabudoss said, “We have managed to reduce the response time from 13 minutes to 9.33 minutes.” 

With stress being laid on the importance of awareness on the service, awareness programmes are also being conducted in Primary Health Centres to ensure that pregnant women make use of the service.  

It may be noted that since its inception, the service saw the most number of beneficiaries last month, with 1,12,716 people having benefited from the service – of which 25 per cent were pregnant women. 

“In the last four months, the service launched 41 new ambulances and tied up with the Tamil Nadu Geographical Identification System to identify where most accidents happen, and thereby, be able to make provisions for sufficient ambulances in those areas.