By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal: In the presence of former President of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, Madhya Pradesh Governor and Chief Minister Dr. Balram Jakhar and Shivraj Singh Chouhan respectively an agreement was signed by the Madhya Pradesh Government and Emergency Management and Research Institute, (EMRI), Hyderabad to provide free modern emergency services to citizens throughout Madhya Pradesh here on Sunday.
Under the agreement inked on the occasion of lunch hosted in honor of Dr. Abdul Kalam, who was in Bhopal for the valedictory function of All India Science Conference, at the Chief Minister Chouhan’s residence, EMRI and state government’s Public Health and Welfare Department would provide emergency medical services through ambulances equipped with complete medical facilities. Till March 2008, the emergency medical services would be provided through 100 fully equipped ambulance. After that period till March 2009 the number of ambulances would go up to 400 and from March 2009 to 2010, 700 fully equipped ambulances would be pressed into free emergency medical services in the state.
The agreement was signed by EMRI chief executive officer Venket Chengavelli and Public Health Department Principal Secretary MM Upadhyaya. Those present on the occasion included Public Health and Welfare Minister Ajay Vishnoi, Information and Technology Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, representatives of Indian Science Conference and other dignitaries.
On this occasion Chengevelli said that so far this scheme has been under implementation in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat only. Madhya Pradesh would be the first state to implement this scheme in the Northern India. The citizens of Madhya Pradesh would be provided this emergency medical service free of charge. Proposing a vote of thanks, Health Minister Ajay Vishnoi said that Dr Kalam is the honorary chairman of EMRI.
The scheme envisages to establish a central call centre also apart from these ambulances which would be equipped with all the life-saving appliances and medicines. People would be able to made an emergency call to this centre. On the basis of received call, all the concerned departments including Health, Fire Brigade and Police would be sounded so that these services should reach the victim at the earliest. The first year expenditure of the scheme would be Rs 104 millions while the entire cost of the scheme would be Rs 226.8 millions.
The ambulance will be equipped with all the necessary life-saving appliances, medicines and other paraphernalia and every driver would be given a mobile phone. This ambulance would be operated by using GIS and GPS modes. These modes will help locate the geographical position of the ambulance and if necessary would help the driver and crew of the ambulance to locate the victim or affected person’s exact position. This would save a lot of time and energy.
Under this scheme, the Madhya Pradesh Government’s Public Health and Welfare Department would provide land for establishment of the call centre as well bear the expenditure on necessary equipment and material (software), equipped ambulances, running cost, human resources and amount for administrative expenditure. ([email protected])