Web Story Desk
“Don’t worry, the ambulance is on its way to your location. I can see it heading towards you. It will arrive soon and take your loved one to a hospital,” says a 108 executive, comforting a caller in need of emergency medical aid, at the 108 call center in north Kashmir’s Baramullla on Saturday.
While the 108 emergency service has come a long way since its inception, thousands of people who dial 108, the vehicle reaches to door steps within 10 minutes.
According to an official there are around 12 vehicles in district Baramulla which are covering the area from Sopore, Bomai, Dangiwacha, Kreeri, Baramulla GMC, Chandoosa, Boniyar, Pathan, Uri, Fatehgarh, and Tangmarg.
Working under NRHM these vehicles also assist the attendants in shifting patients to Srinagar around two times in a day.
The 108 service was launched as an emergency during COVID but due to work and relief to the people, the Government continued this service.
Musadik, one of the EMT ( Emergency Medical Technician) told The Web Story that this is really a great service for the people especially those who can’t afford ambulance service during their worst times when they face any health issue.
“108 service is just a call away. We are for the people and they should benefit from this service,” he said.
A fully equipped vehicle in which there is a driver besides an EMT with all the facilities at the service.
Mudassir, a driver with the 108 service, is a real unsung hero who did a tremendous job during COVID wave, a time when this service was launched.
Narrating the COVID pandemic situation, Mudassir said that everyday he used to carry four to five patients from one hospital to another and that too alone when family members were hesitating to touch their own patients.
“We dedicated the service to the people and I still remember those harsh days when I wasn’t able to touch my family members despite being in front of them because of being afraid of dealing with COVID patients,” Mudassir added.
Javed Ahmad, a driver who used to cover North Kashmir’s Sopore parts said that in the department they are called as real pilots.
‘This service is completely dedicated to the people for their relief,” he said.
Javed said that once they drop patients at their respective places, then the patients are approached by the customer executive to get the feedback if the driver had not taken money or charged them.
“This is a completely free service. 108 ambulances are a relief for patients,” said a local Aftab Ahmad.
Tariq Ahmad, a driver from Kreeri who is also known as a pilot, said that he is very happy with the service and people should get benefits.
As per the data available with Webstory, there are 143 ambulances so far in Jammu and Kashmir, with 75 in Jammu and 64 in Kashmir
Officials said that about every 10 minutes emergency cases are being served and in 2 years, 442 deliveries were successful due to the support services of 108 ambulances.
Note : Detailed Story will be published tommorow with figure
