After launch in March, Emergency Medical Services reached out to over 50,000 people

Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services (MEMS), an ambitious project of the state government to ensure maximum reach of health services has reached out to over 50,000 people in a span of four months.

The toll free "108" number provides emergency medical service through ambulances equipped with state of the art equipments and trained doctors are capable of providing care to the sick or injured in an medical emergency.

So far, emergency medical services have been provided to 51,923 people, Health department officials said. A total of 937 ambulances have been fully functional in different parts of the state. The service was inaugurated by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan on March one this year.

All ambulances are manned by emergency medical professionals (EMPs) specially trained in emergency care. These EMPs are thus trained in detection of any emergency, immediate response, reporting, on-scene care, en route care and transfer to appropriate hospital. Training also includes reassurance to patients, relatives and bystanders prior to and during transportation to hospital casualty room.

About 3,000 doctors have been trained as emergency medical professionals, health department officials said.