Over 2.95 lakh patients have used 108 ambulance service in Gondia since 2014
Images are not validated/verified
The 108 emergency ambulance service in Gondia district has so far been used by 2,95,007 patients. The figure covers the period from March 2014 to September 2026. The Public Health Department started the service on March 1, 2014, so that patients could get medical help in time in an emergency.
District Surgeon Dr Purushottam Patle gave the information. According to him, the service has brought quick help to accident victims, pregnant women and other seriously ill patients. The service runs with the support of the National Rural Health Mission and the health department.
Dr Patle said 15 ambulances are currently operating in the district. The service is free for people in rural, urban and remote areas. People can call 108 in road accidents, burn injuries, heart attacks, poisoning and obstetric emergencies.
He said the ambulances are equipped with modern medical equipment, and patients are given first aid before they are admitted to hospital. This helps patients get treatment in time. A GPRS system is used to determine the location of an ambulance and dispatch it to the spot.
According to Dr Patle, the ambulances are stationed at the KTS General District Hospital, Bai Gangabai Women's Hospital, the sub-district hospital at Tirora, the rural hospitals at Deori, Amgaon, Sadak Arjuni, Arjuni Morgaon, Navegaon Bandh, Goregaon, Saundad, Chichgad, Salekasa and Rajegaon, and the primary health centres at Ekodi and Dawwa.
Drivers and medical officers work on the service in morning and night shifts. When a call comes to 108 from a patient or anyone else, the caller's location is first established. GPS is then used to find which hospital is in that area, and the rural or sub-district hospital or primary health centre there is informed. After that, care is taken that the ambulance reaches the patient in the shortest possible time.
District Health Officer Dr Abhijit Golhar has appealed to people to use the service in an emergency. Dr Patle also said steps will be taken in the coming days to strengthen the service by increasing awareness among people.
