The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Emergency services to be networked

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Emergency services to be networked

Staff Reporter

Toll-free emergency helpline inaugurated

The facility will be set up at a cost of Rs. 28 crore
The helpline can be accessed by dialling 1056

Bangalore: There is a proposal to establish an emergency services network in the State which will link all the major government and private hospitals and ambulance service providers to give immediate care during all medical emergencies, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, R. Ashok said here on Monday.

Discussions

Inaugurating a 24-hour toll-free Government emergency helpline (1056) and the website of the Health and Family Welfare Department here, Mr. Ashok said the State Government had held initial talks with the Hyderabad-based Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) to set up such a facility for the Government in Karnataka at a cost of Rs. 28 crore.

Explaining about the toll-free helpline 1056, Mr. Ashok said the facility was available all across the State and the control room headquartered in Bangalore linked all the district hospitals.

Facility

Those outside Bangalore could avail themselves of the facility on 9580-1056.

“We will set up control rooms at the district level in stages. The helpline will not only facilitate providing of immediate care during accidents and other medical emergencies, but also give information on health issues, take complaints on hospital negligence, shortage of drugs and blood bank facilities and useful information in the event of an outbreak,” Mr. Ashok said.

Information

The Health and Family Welfare Department website ( www.karhfw.gov.in) gives information on the programmes and schemes of the department including reproductive and child health, malaria, filaria, tuberculosis, blindness, leprosy, nutrition and school health.

The National and State Health Policies and census figures with regard to health are also available on the website.

Health and Family Welfare Secretary Usha Ganesh and Health Commissioner Basavaraju were present on the occasion.

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