Bhubaneswar, : The 108 Ambulance service in Odisha has been providing essential public healthcare services for 12 years. Dedicated to saving lives, this service has continuously strived to offer excellent and rapid healthcare facilities. The 108 Ambulance service was launched on March 5, 2013. Initially it was started with 280 ambulances, now it reached at 1366 ambulances. This critical healthcare service plays a crucial role in connecting patients to government healthcare institutions, providing service to urban, rural, and inaccessible areas successfully.
EMRI Green Health Services is operating 108 ambulance service in collaboration with state Govt. Of Odisha & NHM in PPP mode across 30 districts in Odisha. Among 1366 ambulances, 860 are 108 ambulances, 500 are Janani Express ambulances, and 6 are boat ambulances. To date, over 1.2 crore patients, including pregnant women and children, have benefited from this service. The 108 boat ambulance service is particularly instrumental in providing emergency medical care in cutoff remote regions.
On this occasion, Mr. Sabyasachi Biswal, the State Head of EMRI Green Health Services and Project Head of the 108 Ambulance Service, stated: “To enhance the effectiveness of emergency services, we are leveraging advanced technology to track patients’ locations and reduce ambulance response time to 15 minutes. Identifying hotspot areas, ambulances will be stationed strategically, ensuring faster patient access and timely medical intervention. Additionally, through the centralized call center in Bhubaneswar, continuous communication is maintained with patients, enabling the nearest available ambulance to be dispatched promptly. Special awareness programs in rural areas are also being conducted to educate people about the importance of emergency healthcare services.”
Many times, 108 ambulance staff have demonstrated dedication and humanitarian spirit, setting remarkable examples. During floods, cyclones, and the COVID-19 pandemic, 108 employees showcased their service-mindedness and commitment to humanity. The personnel have played a vital role in returning patients’ valuable belongings to their families, donating blood in emergencies, and making extra efforts to assist patients.
EMRI Green Health Services operates 17,141 ambulances across 16 states in India, assisting 41,136 patients daily. Its mission is to provide services to 3 crore people annually and save the lives of 1 crore individuals across the country.
