SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, The Hindu

Just a call, and vehicle will be on the doorstep of patient within 20 minutes

Lining up in service:Ambulances to provide emergency medical relief launched by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow on Friday.— Photo: PTI

Lining up in service:Ambulances to provide emergency medical relief launched by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow on Friday.— Photo: PTI

A free-of-cost, round-the-clock emergency ambulance service, Samajwadi Swastha Sewa , has been launched in Uttar Pradesh on the eve of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav completing six months in office. Upon receiving a call on toll-free number 108, the ambulance will reach the patient within 20 minutes and he/he will be given medical aid before being shifted to hospital.

Emergency medical relief will be available to persons who suffer heart attack, pregnant women, persons with burns, those who undergo trauma following road accidents or physical assault and people with infectious disease requiring immediate hospitalisation.

Mr. Yadav flagged off 133 fully-equipped ambulances after handing over the keys to one of the drivers at his official residence here on Friday.

On August 22, he launched the Uttar Pradesh Ambulance Service, under which 200 vehicles have been deployed in 75 districts.

The Samajwadi Swastha Sewa , functioning under the National Rural Health Mission, will incorporate a total of 988 fully equipped ambulances in the days to come. The 133 ambulances flagged off under phase I will render medical service in each development block of 13 districts.

The ambulances will be equipped with medicines and medical equipment, which was not the case earlier.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated 30 community and primary health centres spread across 30 districts.