For speedy medical care: Over 1,000 ambulances launched by CM Jagan Mohan Reddy in Vijayawada

CM Jagan Mohan Reddy launched the 1,088 ultra modern mobile medical units and ambulances which will be stationed at every mandal headquarters for effective delivery of 104 and 108 services.
The 108 ambulances response time is also fixed at 15 minutes in urban areas, 20 minutes in rural areas and 25 minutes in tribal areas. (Photo | Prasanth Madugula, EPS)
The 108 ambulances response time is also fixed at 15 minutes in urban areas, 20 minutes in rural areas and 25 minutes in tribal areas. (Photo | Prasanth Madugula, EPS)

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday said that with the launch of 1,088 new ‘104’ and ‘108’ ambulances, the government, for the first time, is bringing in the concept of a family doctor for every person in the state, along the lines of the system in the UK.

Launching the fleet of ultra-modern mobile medical units and ambulances, and inaugurating the comprehensive cancer care centre with the support of NATCO Pharma at the Government General Hospital, Guntur, Jagan said the day, commemorated as Doctor’s Day, will be written in golden words in the history of Andhra Pradesh. 

“Flagging off so many ambulances is a record, and the launch of neo-natal ambulances for child healthcare is an even happier moment for me. Saving the lives of children should be the government’s responsibility,” he said, adding that two neo-natal ambulances will be available in each district. “With the large-scale launch of ‘108’ and ‘104’ ambulances, we are introducing the ‘family doctor’ concept for the first time. Electronic health records for each citizen will also be created,” he announced, elaborating that two PHCs will be made operational in every mandal, with one doctor in each PHC.

Besides these two doctors, one will be available in the ‘104’ ambulance. “Every PHC will have about 30 villages under its jurisdiction. Each doctor will be given five-to-seven villages based on the size of the mandal, and will visit the allotted village in a ‘104’ vehicle once a month. The doctor will conduct check-ups on villagers and prescribe medicines. 

On the remaining days, the doctor will be at the PHC,” Jagan said. “This will be on a par with the ‘family doctor’ concept in the UK, where a doctor is responsible for patients in a particular village,” he added. The Chief Minister further said that for the first time, the government is creating electronic health records of patients.

Jagan announces hike in salaries for ‘108’ staff

“Earlier, ‘108’ and ‘104’ ambulances were only for namesake. Only 336 ‘108’ ambulances were working effectively,” he said, adding that the new ‘108’ ambulances will reach patients within 15 minutes in urban areas, 20 minutes in rural areas and 25 minutes in agency areas.

The Chief Minister further asserted that during the previous government’s tenure there were just 86 Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances with facilities for oxygen and medicine supply. 
“Now, there are at least 300 BLS ambulances, while ‘104’ vehicles will be Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances and 26 neo-natal ambulances,” he said.

He added that BLS ambulances have a scoop stretcher, multi-para monitor and wheelchair, among other facilities, while ALS ambulances have state-of-the-art ventilators. Neo-natal ambulances have incubators and ventilators.

‘108’ staff get pay hike

Jagan also announced a hike in salaries for ‘108’ staff. Drivers, who used to get Rs 10,000, will now get Rs 18,000-28,000, depending on their service. Medical technicians will get Rs 20,000-30,000, compared to the earlier Rs 12,000.

Revamp of Aarogyasri

Stating that his government will totally revamp the Aarogyasri structure, Jagan said that earlier, network hospitals used to fear about getting their bills reimbursed. “Now, network hospitals are welcoming patients as we cleared the pending bills and are ensuring bills are paid within three months. 

We are also providing Rs 5,000 per month under Aarogya Aasra for patients who get operated and need assistance after surgery,” he said. “On July 8, the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister late Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy, we will also include 2,059 medical services under Aarogyasri in six more districts. By November 14, all districts will be covered,” the Chief Minister said. “We have also empanelled 130 hospitals in neighbouring states to provide better medical services,” he added.

Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre inaugurated

Inaugurating the Comprehensive Care Centre at GGH, Guntur from his camp office in Tadepalli online, Jagan said it was for the first time that such a facility was arranged under the government set up, where cancer patients can get medical, surgical and radiotherapy facilities. The Comprehensive care centre, which was set up at a cost of Rs 55 crore, was established with the support of NATCO Pharma, which spent Rs 30 crore. “This is the first facility to also get the approval of AERB, and we will bring in a similar facility in Kurnool within a year,” he said.

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