CHENNAI: With a view to saving more accident victims and enhancing the service provided by the ‘108’ ambulances, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday pressed into service 41 two-wheeler ambulances - 31 motor-cycles and 10 scooters - fitted with all equipment required for providing quality first-aid to victims. They have been bought at a cost of Rs 70 lakh.
What is significant about these two-wheeler ambulances is that they can be used by women as well. This is the first-of-its-kind in the country. These two-wheelers will go to the accident spot ahead of the ‘108’ ambulance and provide first-aid, reducing the ‘Response Time’ for providing assistance.
When the control room for 108 ambulance receives an emergency call, these two-wheeler ambulances would be sent to the accident spot depending upon the nature of accident. If the affected person needs intensive treatment, he/she would be sent to the nearby hospital through the ‘108’ ambulance, an official release here said.
Initially, these two-wheeler ambulances would be stationed near important junctions where traffic is high during day-time besides narrow places and in areas where large number of people gather. The scheme would be gradually extended to other towns in the State.
The two-wheeler ambulances have been fitted with portable oxygen cylinder, pulsoxymeter, glucometer, digital thermometer etc. An emergency medical practitioner trained to ride two-wheelers would operate the vehicle. Siren is also fitted to these vehicles. For anyone who suffers injuries in a road accident, the ‘first Platinum 10 minutes’ would be crucial. Chances of saving the life would be increased by diagnosing the nature of injury and immobilisation of the affected part of the body besides providing first aid measures.
In the past five years, the number of ‘108’ ambulances has gone up from 385 to 755. The government operates 66 neo-natal emergency vehicles, mini emergency vehicles that can be operated in hill stations and two emergency treatment centres in the outskirts of Chennai to save accident victims.