108 ambulance service helped 14L patients in 2018

PUNE: In 2018, the 108 Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) ambulance service catered to over 14 lakh patients across the State which was two times more than in 2017. 

The reach of emergency services at rural as well as the tribal belt of the State has also increased. As per the information provided by MEMS, the maximum number of patients were patients in medical emergencies like a respiratory emergency, fever and abdominal pain followed by women in labour. 

The emergency medical services complete five years on January 26.

Speaking to Sakal Times, Dr Dnyaneshwar Shelke, Chief Operating Officer of BVG MEMS said that the tribal and rural parts of the State are now better connected for emergency medical care.

“In our initiative to reach more patients effectively, we have spread more awareness in schools and communities by taking various awareness methods. We have also trained ASHA workers as they reach many people daily. Training these ASHA workers as first respondents have certainly helped our cause,” said Dr Shelke.

In 2018, MEMS catered to 14,80,249 patients across Maharashtra whereas in 2017, a total of 7,98,251 patients sought this services. Data also suggests that tribal belt like Palghar district has had 42,644 patients in 2018 and 17,222 patients in 2017.

“Tribal belts like Palghar, Melghat now have bike ambulances as four-wheeler ambulances are not able to reach a lot of places. We have also tried these bike ambulances in slums of Mumbai. They have helped a lot of patients as these bike ambulances have certified and trained medical professionals,” said Dr Shelke.

As per the department, 55,655 patients were served in Amravati in 2018 whereas 22,526 patients were served in 2017. 

Interestingly, 65 per cent patients who received the services in 2018 has medical emergencies related to respiration, diabetes, fever and abdominal pain. And 16 per cent emergencies were that of women in labour.

Astoundingly, out of 14,80,249 cases, 729 cases were of suicide or self-inflicted injury. And 74,474 cases were of vehicle accidents and 11,991 were of assaults. MEMS also provided emergency services to 5,263 patients during various mass casualty incidents across the state in 2018.

A total of 937 ambulances including 233 Advanced Life Support (ALS) and 704 Basic Life Support Ambulances (BLS) with over 5,000 EMS professionals are working in MEMS.