COIMBATORE: The 108 ambulance service in Coimbatore district has assisted with the deliveries of over 1,400 babies in the last 14 years, including 639 deliveries inside the ambulance, said the program manager of the ambulance service in Coimbatore and Nilgiris district Selva Muthukumar. There are a total of 66 ‘108’ ambulances in the district, including four bike ambulances.
“Since 2008, when the 108 ambulance services, which are operated by GVK-EMRI, were launched in the State, it has been instrumental in helping with 1,487 baby deliveries in the district, including 639 deliveries which took place inside the ambulance,” he said.
Speaking to TNIE, 108 Ambulance service - Coimbatore South Manager Gokul Krishnan said that the ambulances have around 260 highly advanced equipment that can save the life of even a critical patient. He also requested people in the rural regions to avail the service of the ambulance without any hesitation as the local PHCs may not have the required facilities.
Official sources said pregnant women from rural regions should opt for the 108 ambulance service instead of going for high-risk self delivery in order to avoid complications, as the ambulance has been maintaining a success rate of 100% over from the past 14 years in transporting women to hospitals for delivery as well as in delivering newborn babies.
Past 3 years
| Coimbatore District | FY 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 (Upto August 2022) | Total |
| Deliveries inside the ambulance | 43 | 49 | 17 | 109 |
| Deliveries at other locations | 88 | 131 | 45 | 264 |
| Total Deliveries | 131 | 180 | 62 | 373 |
Overall - Past 14 years
| Coimbatore District | Total Count (2008-2022) |
| Deliveries inside the ambulance | 639 |
| Deliveries at other locations | 848 |
| Total Deliveries | 1,487 |