Shimla, May 14
Himachal Pradesh Government defended the role of ambulatory services being used to transport the Covid infected patients.
With increase in spike of cases, role of state ambultory services has become very crucial as patients could not be transported n any other Ambulance or normal vehicles in case of emergency.
In a statement issued here today a government spokesman claimed that timely response of ambulance services for the COVID 19 patients is being strengthened
The State is committed to provide timely aid to the COVID-19 positive patients as fleet of 123 vehicles have been dedicated for COVID related responsibilities in various districts apart from the ones provided by the Administration and Institutions like Red Cross.
The concerned District administrations has been asked to explore all available means of transportation such as vehicles available with Army, Paramilitary, ESI, Hydroelectric projects etc. to facilitate the movement of COVID-19 confirmed
suspected patients, other than those dedicated ambulances so that a timely response to the patients of COVID-19 who need ambulances for transportation to hospitals or inter-facility transfer can be ensured.
The Spokesperson said that the directions in this regard have already been issued and the Secretary Health Amitabh Awasthi reviewed the district wise availability of ambulatory support in a video conference with Chief Medical Officers and Medical Superintendents in all the Districts.
The spokesperson further added that the districts have been advised to use National Ambulances Service (108) for transportation of patients who require relatively high flow of oxygen or for inter-facility transfer across longer distances.
In addition to this, the Jannee Sweasth Services (102) should be deployed to transfer the patients who require low flow of oxygen or across shorter distances by using a smaller oxygen cyclinder.
He further added that the non ambulance vehicles which the districts would deploy could be used for patients who do not require oxygen supplementation or for drop back of recovered patients.
Government spokesperson also informed that till 11th April 2021, a total of 2360 ambulance dispatches have been assigned for COVID related emergencies in the month of April.
Out of these, 63 pet cent calls have been done by the COVID dedicated ambulances of 108 and 102, while 37 p c dispatches have been done by the Non COVID ambulances of 108 and 102 fleet in the emergent circumstances for saving the lives of the patients.
