EMS

108 EMR Service to be Operational in Chhattisgarh

According to the MOU, GVK EMRI will be recognised as a state-level nodal agency to provide emergency response services across the State

The Government of Chhattisgarh and GVK EMRI recently signed an agreement to set up and operate the 108 Emergency Response Services in Chhattisgarh. With the establishment of the 108 Emergency Response Service, the state Government intends to improve access to healthcare services, particularly in emergency situations to pregnant women, neonates, mothers of neonates, infants and children and any other health emergencies in the general population. Under a public private partnership agreement with the Government, GVK EMRI will bring in their expertise in setting up and operating an integrated 108 Emergency Response Service that will serve medical emergencies as well as emergencies related to crime and fire accidents.

The MOU was signed between Vikas Sheel, Secretary, Department of Health, Medical & Family Welfare, Government of Chhattisgarh and Venkat Changavalli, Chief Executive Officer, GVK EMRI, in the presence of Dr Raman Singh, Chief Minister, Government of Chhattisgarh and Amar Agarwal, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Chhattisgarh.

Speaking at the occasion, Venkat Changavalli, CEO, GVK EMRI, said, "We are extremely proud to partner with the Government of Chhattisgarh, GVK EMRI is committed to ensure that a seamless emergency response service is established in the state of Chhattisgarh, we will bring in technology expertise and service excellence and work towards improving delivery of emergency response services to global standards."

According to the MOU, GVK EMRI will be recognised as a state-level nodal agency to provide emergency response services across the state, in coordination with the public agencies on a 24-hour per day and 365 days a year basis, to all the people in the state. The 108 Emergency Response services will be free of any charges to all the citizens. It would be the responsibility of GVK EMRI to provide emergency response services through well trained personnel, documented processes and technology support.

State Government and GVK EMRI will work towards launching the 108 Emergency Response Service in Raipur tentatively by August, 2010. The state will have a fleet of 172 ambulances that will be launched in a phased manner by March 2011. Of the 172 ambulances, 38 are advanced life saving ambulances and 34 are basic life saving ambulances.

EH News Bureau