The Hindu : Front Page : EMRI ambulances handle over 10,000 cases

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 21, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

EMRI ambulances handle over 10,000 cases

K.V. Prasad

COIMBATORE: Ambulances of the Emergency Management Research Institute (EMRI) in Coimbatore District has handled more than 10,000 cases so far. These included accidents and other medical emergencies.

Even deliveries were done in the vehicles, EMRI’s Coimbatore Region Head (Operations) H. Mohan told The Hindu on Monday.

The services were launched in November 2008 with nine ambulances and the number was subsequently increased to 11.

People could dial toll-free number 108 to request for the service.

In a project backed by the Government, these ambulances had handled 3,773 road traffic accident cases and 2,608 pregnancy cases. Besides, 2,106 other medical emergencies such as heart attack, snake bites and suicide attempts were also rush to hospitals.

These cases were rushed by ambulances posted near the Coimbatore Railway Junction, the Coimbatore Medical College at Peelamedu, Kinathukadavu, Sulur, Pollachi, Valparai, Madukkarai, Thondamuthur, Annur, Thudialur and Mettupalayam.

Two more ambulances were added to the fleet recently.

These were positioned at Thadagam (to serve Anaikatti also) and Kottur near Pollachi (to serve Anamalai and areas at Aliyar).

Delivery cases

Mr. Mohan said EMRI felt particularly satisfied with the delivery cases it handled in the rural areas. “So far, 65 deliveries had been done in the ambulances, apart from reaching others to hospitals.

“We get to know of the probable dates of delivery from the primary health centres. We tell the people in the centres to make use of EMRI’s ambulances instead of searching for other modes of transport,” he said.

“The ambulance is safer during advanced stages of pregnancy or other emergencies.”

Trained staff

A village health nurse or a staff nurse at the health centre accompanied the patient. A trained staff member of the EMRI was always available in the ambulance.

“Actually, we try not to have the delivery in the ambulance as the hospital is the safest choice. But, if the delivery is inevitable, we get advice from experienced doctors at our Emergency Response Centre that functions 24 hours. The vital signs are communicated to the doctors and medicines or injections are given as per their instructions.”

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page