HP signs MoU for free ambulance drop-back service scheme

Himachal Pradesh government today signed an MoU to provide free drop-back service on ambulance to women and infants.
The 102 drop-back facility would be provided to pregnant women, women after delivery and sick children up to one year of age and will be launched on November 14, Children's Day.
The MoU for free 102 ambulance service was signed between Director National Health Mission, Hans Raj Sharma and Director of GVK EMRI, K Krishnam Raju, in the presence of state Health and Family Welfare Minister, Kaul Singh Thakur here.
The government would launch 125 ambulances under Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) on Children's Day and the ambulances would be available on the toll free number 102.

GVK EMRI is also the service provider for 108 emergency ambulance schemes in Himachal, launched in December 2010.
Talking to mediapersons, Kaul Singh Thakur said that the 125 ambulances have been purchased at a cost of Rs 6.15 crore.

"The vehicles would be operated on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. GVK-EMRI has been identified as operator for the scheme after competitive bidding process," he said.
One vehicle each would be stationed at 116 identified delivery points in the state and additional 9 vehicles would be deployed at delivery points with heavy load, as per the need, he said.
"The service would be available free of cost to all pregnant women, women after delivery and children (less than one year) for drop-back transport after discharge from hospital," he said.

The Health Minister said that this free service would promote institutional deliveries which would reduce Maternal and Infant Mortality rate in the state.