The emergency medical response service of 108 and 102 operations were on Sunday launched in West Sikkim in association with the State Government.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has launched eight ambulances in the first phase in the west district.
One ambulance would be deployed in Geyzing district hospital while the seven would be serving the nearby PHCs namely Sombaria, Soreng, Rinchenpong, Mangalbaria, Yuksam, Dentam and Tashiding.
The State Government would launch the ambulances phase by phase across all districts of Sikkim depending on the response they get in West Sikkim, according to a press release.
The service is aimed to reduce the number of fatalities caused due to accidents by providing timely emergency medical response to the people within the golden hour. It also aims to reduce the infant and maternal mortality rate by increasing deliveries assisted by skilled birth attendants.
The people of West Sikkim can now directly call 108 or 102 in case of an emergency from anywhere at any time and receive 24X7 assistance.
The service can be availed by the people of West Sikkim free of cost by dialing the toll free three digit telephone numbers 108 or 102. The service is managed through a centralized call centre which has been setup in Daragaon, Tadong – Gangtok.
On receiving a call, the executive will dispatch the nearest ambulance to the patient through GPS. The102/108 ambulance services provide pregnant women and new-borns.
The ambulances have a team of fully trained professionals on-board. This team of technicians and medical staff is well versed with Basic Life Support (BLS) equipments so as to introduce necessary medical aid while the patient is transported to the nearest hospital, the release added.