KCR launches ambulance services for Amma Vodi

Hyderabad: After the KCR kits, the state government has come out with another facility for pregnant women called 102 Amma Vodi vehicle. The facility will help pregnant woman, needing ante and post-natal care reach hospital and go back home after treatment and medical care from third month till ninth month.

The facility was commissioned by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. Along with Amma Vodi vehicles, Chandrasekhar Rao also launched two-wheeler bike ambulance at Peoples’ Plaza here on Wednesday.

After inauguration, the Chief Minister said: “People’s faith and confidence in the government hospitals has increased. There is a substantial increase in the number of patients that are coming to the government hospitals. After the irrigation sector, the government’s priority would be health and education sectors,” he pointed out.

According officials of the health department, the 102 Amma Vodi vehicle will be quite helpful for expecting mothers as they would provide a comfortable journey to hospital and back home. The operation and management of the services are integrated with the Maternal and Child Health Centre (MCH) services.

As of now there are as many as 200 multi-utility vehicles with capacity for 10 patients having GPS tracking facility. Six to eight vehicles are provided for each district. The 102 call centre will be located at Hyderabad which will work for from 8 am to 8 pm on all days, including holidays.

As regards 108 Bike Ambulance service, the official said, the main objective is to reduce response time and gain access to areas inaccessible to regular ambulance service, enhance visibility and improve public confidence on emergency medical services.

On experimental basis, 50 two-wheeler motor bike ambulances will be pressed into service in the jurisdiction of GHMC as Amma Vodi vehicles might find it difficult to reach the caller in view of frequent traffic snarls. “The bike ambulance will be equipped with emergency medicines, small oxygen cylinder, cervical collar and first aid kit to take care of minor injuries,” said the officials.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated Project Rekkalu under which female Multi-Purpose Health Assistant working in the state will get a bike. This facility is being provided with part assistance from the National Health Mission.

Speaking to The Hans India, Commissioner of Telangana Health and Family Welfare Department Vakati Karuna said there is a proposal to track all high-risk pregnancies and transfer them to the designated First Referral Units before their due date.