Dial 108, have an ambulance at your doorstep

You will no longer have to go scampering for medical help in an emergency. Now, you can simply dial toll-free number 108 and call an ambulance to your doorstep. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan inaugurated the state-run ambulance service in Mumbai on Saturday.

Chavan flagged off up to 250 brand new ambulances under the scheme from Police Gymkhana in Marine Lines. The 24x7 emergency medical services (EMS) project has been initiated by the Maharashtra government under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). "It will facilitate the transport of the patient to the nearest hospital within the first 'golden' hour of an emergency or a road accident," said state Health Minister Suresh Shetty.

Bharat Vikas Group Limited and UK-based company UKSAS will operate the fleet of ambulances along with a call centre to facilitate the services. A total of 937 ambulances will function across Maharashtra, of which 233 are advanced life support vehicles and 704 are basic life support vehicles.

The advanced vehicles will have oxygen support, defibrillator machinations for cardiac revival, syringe pumps, infusion pumps and ventilator support.

Meanwhile, a disqualified bidder, Ziqitza Healthcare Limited, has alleged that the bidding process was not held in a fair manner and has moved the high court against the state. Ziqitza has alleged that the UK Specialist Ambulance Service Ltd (UKSAS) has submitted forged documents to acquire the tender, which will require an investment of Rs1,000 crore over a period of five years by the state.