Ambulance scheme gets lifeline

The first part of the project,under which 988 ambulances were to be procured,had got a Central approval under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in the 2010-11 Project Implementation Plan (PIP) submitted by the state. The Centre had released Rs 158.88 crore for this and half the vehicles were procured by the state’s Department of Family Welfare. In 2011-12,the state has proposed to procure another 1,012 ambulances. This will bring up the number of ambulances to 2,000,so on an average,each of the 820 blocks can have two ambulances and the rest can be used in the district headquarters.

“The ideal ratio is one ambulance for every 1 lakh population and since Uttar Pradesh has a population of about 20 crore,we need at least 2,000 ambulances,” said a senior medical official.

“The state’s department of Family Welfare is to float the tenders within the next few days to select private firms that will run the 988 ambulances,” said Santosh Kumar,General Manager (Administration),NRHM,Uttar Pradesh.

As per the scheme,the infrastructure will be provided by the government,and a private firm will set up a centralised emergency response center,from where all the ambulances will be controlled. Anyone needing the ambulance service can call up the toll free number 108,which will be connected to the response center. The communication manager at the center will — through GIS system — trace the nearest ambulance and direct it to rush.

The service will be available round the clock and will be free of cost. Each ambulance will have the basic life support system along with an attendant and a driver,to be provided by the private firm.

According to NHRM officers,the scheme,functional in other states,has resulted in a significant decline of maternal mortality rate,as the largest beneficiaries are pregnant women. The ASHAs and ANMs of all districts will be given the toll-free number,so they can call the ambulances for a safe and timely delivery.