Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Monday launched 108 Bike Ambulance Service here by flagging off two Bike Ambulances, making the State the first in Northern India to launch this service.
Thakur said Bike Ambulance Service has been launched in the State, keeping in view its geographical conditions, adding that sometimes it became difficult for 108 Ambulance service to reach the spot due to traffic congestion in Shimla town or due to non-availability of proper ambulance roads.
The Chief Minister said the Bike Ambulance Service would supplement the already functional 108 National Ambulance Service and the Service in first phase, would be implemented, in Shimla town and thereafter replicated in other parts of the State.
Thakur said that 108 Bike Ambulance Service, also known as First Response Bike, would go a long way, in providing better 108 Ambulance Services, to the patients and accident victims. "The 108 Bike Ambulance, would be equipped with, first aid kit such as medical equipments and medicines etc. On receiving call on 108 in Shimla city, the Emergency Response Officer (ERO) would ascertain whether it would be appropriate to send an Ambulance or a Bike ambulance, keeping in view, the seriousness of the patients as well as, the topography of the concerned area," he added.
The CM said that the Bike Ambulance Service on reaching the spot, would provide first aid to the patient and thereafter, if required, call the regular 108 Ambulance.
Himachal Pradesh was only the fourth State in the country after Tamilnadu, Karnataka and Goa to start this Bike Ambulance Service.
Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, Health Minister Vipin Parmar, Transport Minister Govind Thakur, Chief Secretary Vineet Chawdhry Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary Chief Minister Manisha Nanda, Principal Secretary Health Prabodh Saxena, amongst others were present on the occasion.