Gogoi launches Integrated Emergency Helpline

Apart from health, the integrated helpline would encompass police, fire and other disaster related incidents.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Gogoi said the launching of the 108 Emergency Service Helpline would provide the much-needed impetus to the people living in the far-flung and interior areas, including hilly areas.

"The integrated service will go a long way in providing timely relief to the affected people at the time of exigencies," Gogoi said.

The 108 Emergency Service have had already created an impact on the State's health services, especially in dealing with accident related cases and timely care for pregnant women, he said.

"The 108 ambulance service has become very popular in the State and as such its network has been further widened by encompassing other services like police, fire and disaster-related incidents" he said.

Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also speaking said, "A hundred small ambulances have been pressed into service for the hill areas under 108 service. For referral cases another fleet of ambulances will be placed shortly."

The Health Department has been designated as a Nodal department for implementing the Integrated Emergency Helpline, under the aegis of the NRHM, with 655 police and fire stations in the state connected with BSNL PRI lines to EMRI Call Centre 108.

At least 4,355 emergency response personnel of fire brigade and police have been trained for this purpose, official sources added.