Delhi govt approves home-to-hospital free ambulance and trauma care service

The Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government in Delhi on Thursday approved a `Home to Hospital' ambulance service that will provide free services in the city. Residents of Delhi will soon be able to dial emergency ambulance services for free on the toll-free number 102.

The decision, taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by the chief minister, provides for the use of the Centralised Accident & Trauma Services (CATS), an autonomous body under the government of NCT of Delhi.

Under the scheme, 110 new ambulances will be added to the existing fleet of 155. Out of the 265 ambulances, 100 will have basic life support systems and 10 will have advanced life support ambulances.

A modern control room would be set up for monitoring the movement of these ambulances.

CATS currently serves accident victims, pregnant women and victims of sexual assault by providing speedy transport service.

''This initiative is part of several other similar measures that our government has planned to improve the healthcare delivery system in the state. We want the people of Delhi to be picked up right from their doorstep and dropped at whichever hospital they would want to go to - private or public - during an emergency,'' said Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain.

The government now proposes to increase manpower to operate the additional 110 new ambulances as well as fill up the current vacancies in the existing ambulance service and control room.

According to the government, residents who are drowsy or fall unconscious, have sudden urine retention, breathing problems, sudden and severe chest and abdominal pain, dislocated or broken bones, head injuries, deep cuts and profuse bleeding, poisoning, burns or severe allergies will be able to avail the emergency ambulance services.