Jharkhand Boosts emergency healthcare services, the Jharkhand state government has rolled out 100 new ambulances in 13 districts under the National Health Mission (NHM). Chief Minister Hemant Soren flagged off the ambulances at the Project Building premises, emphasizing the government’s commitment to bolstering health infrastructure and delivering quality healthcare to the people.
Equipped with advanced life support systems and GPS devices, these ambulances aim to provide free emergency services to residents of the state. Chief Minister Soren expressed confidence that these ambulances would be crucial in saving lives, especially in remote areas.
Highlighting the government’s focus on healthcare, Chief Minister Soren mentioned ongoing efforts to strengthen primary health centers (PHCs) and community health centers (CHCs). He announced the sanctioning of 1,000 doctor positions and 3,000 paramedical staff positions to address staffing shortages in the health department, assuring that recruitment would be completed promptly.
Health Minister Banna Gupta detailed that the operation of these new ambulances would be handled by GVK EMRI, a private agency with a track record of providing ambulance services in the state since 2008. These ambulances, available round-the-clock, can be accessed by dialing 108 for emergency assistance.
Health Secretary Arun Kumar Singh outlined the distribution of the new ambulances across 13 districts, with each district receiving eight ambulances, except Ranchi, which will have 12. The remaining seven districts are slated to receive new ambulances in the subsequent phase.
NHM Director Ravi Shankar Shukla disclosed that the new ambulances, procured at a cost of Rs 18 crore, come with a five-year warranty. Each ambulance, costing Rs 18 lakh, is equipped with essential medical equipment, including oxygen cylinders, ventilators, defibrillators, suction machines, and infusion pumps. Moreover, the ambulances feature CCTV cameras and panic buttons to ensure safety and security during emergency situations
