Millions of emergencies end in loss of life because of not getting timely medical aid or because those in need cannot afford ambulance services. Pre-hospital care is the key to removing these barriers and ensuring that lives are not lost due to avoidable circumstances. The 108 ambulance service aims to respond within the golden hour when accident and disaster victims needing trauma care are more likely to survive if they reach the hospital on time.
The government initiative to make healthcare accessible to all, even in the remotest parts of a state, has empowered Zenplus, in association with State Governments and the National Health Mission, to operate Dial 108 in Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Sikkim. Zenplus has previously served the people of Bihar, Kerala, and Rajasthan.
108 is a toll-free number that can be dialled from any landline or mobile set. All the ambulances operating under this are fitted with a GPS. A centralized call centre has been set up in the capital city. The ambulances are strategically located in the operational district so that the entire district can be covered and any emergency can be addressed in minimum time. The whole service is free to every citizen, from a person making a call to the necessary pre-hospital care in the ambulance to taking the victim to the nearest hospital. During the trip, the EMT provides the victim with pre-hospital care to ensure the patient reaches the hospital safely.
