Over 23,000 pregnant women utilised 108 service last year

Over 23,000 pregnant women have utilised the services of 108 ambulances across the Vellore district last year. In fact, 162 deliveries were on-board the ambulances when the women were being taken to hospitals.

District officials said the 40 ambulances in Vellore have catered to a total of 50,720 cases in 2014.

Of this, 10,525 were accident cases and 23,065 were pregnancy cases.

A total of 162 babies were born on-board the ambulances, many of such deliveries occurred in the Pernambut ambulance, officials said.

Another 168 deliveries occurred at the home of patients assisted by the 108 Emergency Medical Technician.

“In some cases, the family of pregnant women would have called for the ambulance. However, the labour would have started when the ambulance reaches the house. Hence, our staff would assist the women in delivery. The mother and newborn will be shifted to the hospital soon after delivery,” he said.

Of the 40 ambulances in the district, 35 were basic life support ambulances, two neonatal ambulances, one advanced life support ambulance and two four-wheel drive ambulances meant for hilly and inaccessible terrains in the district.