126 126: A helpline close to your heart

The city now has its first cardiac helpline designed by the Asian Heart Institute exclusively to deal with heart problems — both routine as well as emergency ones like a heart attack.

A call to the helpline (126 126) would ensure that an ambulance reaches the patient’s doorstep in about 30 minutes during the day and 15 minutes at night.

Alongside, the state’s first air ambulance service was also launched by union health minister Anbumani Ramadoss on Monday for patients outside Mumbai.

The Asian Health Institute, that will house the control room for the helpline, has tied up with the 1298 Ambulance Services. “We have 67 cardiac ambulances equipped with doctors to pick up patients and take them to the nearest hospital,” said cardio thoracic surgeon Dr Ramakant Panda and vice-chairman of the Asian Heart Institute.

The helpline would be manned by six doctors round-the-clock. “Call centre volunteers answer the calls after which it will be transferred to the doctors,” said Dr Akil Khan who is spearheading the project.

Panda said that patients who are transported by the ambulance will be charged Rs1,500. “But, patients going to public hospitals would be exempted.” For air-lifting services, four helicopters belonging to the Bafna Aviation would be parked at Juhu and Mahalaxmi Racecourse. The service would cost patients about Rs85,000 per hour.