Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Wireless networking of hospitals

IN A novel initiative, the city police have planned to network major hospitals in the city through a special wireless frequency for better coordination in the event of road accidents.

According to the plan, eight hospitals, including the Government Rajaji Hospital, Apollo Speciality Hospitals and the Meenakshi Mission Hospital and Research Centre, would be provided with a common wireless connectivity. "In case of accidents, the nearest hospital will be alerted by the Police Control Room for rushing medical teams and ambulances. This facility will minimise the reaction time and ensure that optimum utilisation is made of the golden hour (first one hour after an accident)," says the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime and Traffic), V. H. Mohamed Haneefa.

A fleet of 20 ambulances will also be linked through the wireless network. A meeting of the hospital administrators was conducted recently to implement the scheme in a couple of months.

In another development to avert accidents, the traffic police have planned to install solar-powered reflectors on the roads in accident-prone areas to warn drivers.

Caution boards would also be erected on roadsides to alert the drivers that they are entering accident-prone zones.

"The focus is on accident prevention now. The penalty for violation of permit conditions by share-autos and mini-buses have been enhanced to Rs. 1,000. We have also warned that the permits of vehicles involved in repeated violations would be cancelled," Mr. Haneefa adds.

Encouraged by an overwhelming response to digital countdown timers at traffic junctions, the police are on the look-out for sponsors to introduce the concept at five more places soon.

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