Himachal’s 108 Ambulance Service: A Lifeline for Over 4 Lakh Emergencies in Three Years.
Shimla:
The 108 National Ambulance Service (NAS), operated by the Medswan Foundation, has proven to be an indispensable lifeline for the people of Himachal Pradesh, successfully handling more than 4,01,750 medical emergencies in the last three years. Averaging one emergency every four minutes, this service has become a crucial part of the state’s healthcare infrastructure, offering free and reliable medical assistance around the clock under the guidance of the National Health Mission (NHM) and the state government.
As the service marks its third anniversary, it has garnered widespread recognition for its commitment to saving lives and delivering urgent care across the state’s rugged terrain. The service operates with a fleet of 248 ambulances under NAS-108 and an additional 148 under JSSK-102, collectively responding to over 2,000 calls daily, with each ambulance attending to approximately 375 emergencies per day. Among these, three are typically childbirth-related emergencies, further underscoring the service’s significant role in maternal healthcare.
Saurav Thakur, the Ambulance Manager for NAS-108, highlighted that the initiative has been especially vital in handling a diverse range of medical situations. The service has responded to over 41,000 respiratory emergencies, more than 30,000 cardiac cases, and over 15,500 trauma incidents. In addition, it has been pivotal in dealing with 5,000 stroke-related emergencies, 25,250 police-related calls, and 1,790 fire-related incidents.
In the realm of maternal and child healthcare, the 108 Ambulance Service has made a remarkable impact, addressing more than 73,770 pregnancy-related emergencies and facilitating 2,873 safe deliveries. The service’s role in assisting mothers in need has been further bolstered by the 102 Ambulance Service, which has helped transport over 92,970 beneficiaries to and from healthcare facilities, ensuring timely access to medical care.
At the heart of this extensive network is a dedicated team of about 1,500 professionals, including ambulance pilots and emergency medical technicians (EMTs), whose tireless work has been instrumental in providing urgent medical support. Saurav Thakur commended their unwavering commitment, acknowledging their critical contribution in saving lives and providing dignified care to patients in distress.
Looking to the future, the Medswan Foundation, in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh Government, is planning to gradually replace aging ambulances to ensure even better service delivery. This phased replacement will enhance the service’s efficiency and reliability, ensuring that the 108 Ambulance Service continues to be a beacon of hope and care for the people of Himachal Pradesh.
As the 108 Ambulance Service enters its fourth year, it stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, dedication, and compassion in transforming healthcare delivery, particularly in challenging terrains like those of Himachal Pradesh.