Odisha government on Friday launched ‘Dial 102’ Service under ‘National Ambulance scheme’(NAS) aimed at providing emergency health care service to pregnant women and new born baby.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik flagged off the ambulance service at Jaydev Bhawan here. Ziqitza Health Care Limited has been assigned for operation and management of centralised call centre ‘102’. “The ambulances are fitted with GPS and are positioned in various strategic locations across the State to ensure 30 minutes response time to transport patients to health care facilities,” said State Health Secretary Mr. P. K Mohapatra.
“The objective of the project is to provide timely assured round the clock transportation services to pregnant women and sick infants of the State at free of cost. It is expected that approximately 13 lakhs beneficiaries will avail this service per annum,” said Roopa Mishra, Director National Health Mission. Ms. Mishra said State government planned to roll out 500 ‘Dial 102’ ambulances within three months.
The State government had signed memorandum of understanding with Mumbai based Ziqitza Health Care Ltd to provide 102 emergency Ambulance health care service to pregnant women and new born baby in February this year. Ziqitza is also the operator of 108 Ambulance Service. Among others Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak spoke on the occasion.
