Launched in 2014, Dial 108 ambulance has serviced nearly 1 crore patients

Gets more than 8,000 calls daily

State health authorities have planned to double the number of ambulances apart from setting up boat ambulances and special ones for newborns. (Express photo by Sahil Walia/File)

Ten years after the state set up the Dial-108 ambulance project on January 26, services have been availed by nearly a crore patients across Maharashtra. The Dial-108 project, set up by the state’s National Health Mission and operated by BVG India is a free-of-cost service with a centralised call centre in Pune. State health authorities have planned to double the number of ambulances apart from setting up boat ambulances and special ones for newborns.

Presently, a total of 937 ambulances are in service, including 233 advanced life support and 704 basic life support ambulances. So far 94.40 lakh emergency patients have been attended to between Jan 26, 2014 and December 31, 2023. In the last ten years, maximum calls for service have been from cases of pregnancy (16,02,567), health (56,50,990) and accidents (5,11,845). As per MEMS data of Dial 108 project —this includes providing emergency medical services to 6,01,726 suspected or confirmed Covid-19 patients and more than 39,707 babies delivered in the ambulance.

The toll-free number 108 is accessible across Maharashtra wherein the control room takes down information including name, address and medical details of the patient from the caller, and quickly dispatches the nearest 108 ambulance for the patient.

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Dr Dnyaneshwar Shelke, Chief Operating Officer of BVG MEMS, told The Indian Express that on any given day, the MEMS 108 emergency control room receives over 8,000 calls every day.

In Pune district, emergency services have been provided to a total of 8,73,707 patients in the last ten years, and 6,36,310 patients have been attended to in Mumbai, and 5,17,808 patients in Solapur. Dr Shelke also said that the public health department has initiated boat ambulances in the sea-shore and backwater areas of dams for emergencies. As per MEMS officials, at least 36 boat ambulances and 25 neonatal ambulances will be deployed at district hospitals for transport of critical neonates. The present fleet of ambulances will be doubled and about 1,756 ambulances will now serve different parts of the state for quick response to emergency calls.

The Emergency Response Centre has been integrated with police and fire control rooms across the state and has integrated mobile apps of doctors and ambulance drivers for sharing live dispatch information with field staff. Ten years ago, a tender was floated to initiate 108 ambulance services. All capital expenditure towards it was done on behalf of the government. As per the new tender, the service provider will have to bear 51 per cent of the capital expenditure. Currently, the government spends Rs 33 crore per month to maintain the ambulance service. With more ambulances added to the fleet, the government will have to spend Rs 63 crore per month.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition. ... Read More

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