Odisha Govt to Procure 70 Ambulances for Smooth Patient Care & Transportation

These newly introduced ambulances will serve multiple purposes, including the transportation of patients receiving treatment through the BSKY, transfer of patients to private hospitals, and deployment for use in correctional facilities, for VIPs, and at special events.

To provide efficient transportation of patients, the Odisha government has planned to procure 70 ambulances. This fleet will comprise 30 advanced life support (ALS) ambulances and 40 basic life support (BLS) ambulances.

These newly introduced ambulances will serve multiple purposes, including the transportation of patients receiving treatment through the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), transfer of patients to private hospitals, and deployment for use in correctional facilities, for VIPs, and at special events.

According to the Health and Family Welfare Department, these ambulances will soon be deployed in the districts and medical colleges.

Reportedly, Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) will bear the cost of procuring 30 ALS ambulances, while the state government funds will procure the other ambulances.

Moreover, Health Secretary Shalini Pandit directed the hospitals and districts to recruit ambulance assistants, drivers and other staff by the end of this month.

The Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) is a healthcare program launched by the Odisha government in August 2018. This initiative is designed to achieve comprehensive health coverage, particularly targeting economically disadvantaged households. Under this scheme, it provides cost-free healthcare services to all patients at state government healthcare facilities, starting from sub-centres to the District Head headquarters hospitals.

Reportedly, every month around 45 Lakh instances are recorded where beneficiaries have availed of free healthcare treatment under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana.

Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) is one of the major coal-producing companies in India. It is one of the eight subsidiaries of Coal India Limited. MCL’s donation of ambulances is part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The company has a history of contributing to health-related causes. For instance, MCL financed all expenses of the country’s second-largest COVID-19 hospital in Bhubaneswar, including the cost of treatment of patients.

In a similar event, Delhi-based emergency response provider Medulance Healthcare added up to 400 ambulances for advanced life support (ALS) and basic life support (BLS) in Delhi NCR. With this initiative, the startup sought to offer better turnover time (TAT), which directly impacts mortality rates.

Out of the newly added 400 ambulances, more than 50 are ALS, 125 are certified, and 90 are BLS. The ALS ambulance services support the advanced life systems that help ensure patient transfer between hospitals. The BLS ambulance services improve the capability to cover a wide range of medical emergencies.