Srinagar, Sep 01: After the launch of free Emergency Medical Services (EMS) project in July 2019, the Kashmiri American Society of Healthcare, Medical Education and Research, (KASHMER) in collaboration with the Help Foundation has started one more critical care ambulance service, equipped with ventilators, E.C.G and other advanced health monitoring devices along with trained paramedics and EMT personnel.
A senior and a founding member of the group while speaking to the news agency— Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the group initiated its program in the valley in July 2019 with two critical care ambulances, equipped with paramedics and EMT personnel.
“The purpose of this free service is to reach out to the people during health emergencies, as our critical care ambulances are equipped with ventilators and other monitoring devices,” he said.
He, however, added that the services are available during the emergencies only, not for the daily routine mobilisation of patients or shifting of parents from hospital to home.
He further said that in the initial phase of the project two critical care ambulances manned with paramedics/EMT personnel were introduced. The control room or the central hub is staffed by junior doctors to provide acute care en-route with triage to the closest available emergency room.
While highlighting the services of the project he said that the critical ambulances are equipped with well-trained medical and paramedical staff which also includes the BLS (Basic Life Support), and ACLS (Advanced Life Support).
He further said An EMS phone number (9484100200) is already available for access to the general public.
“However people need to be educated about using this number for emergencies only and not regular healthcare advice,” he added.
One of the incharges in the valley, Dr Mudasir said that with the operational base in Srinagar, the group has started the critical care ambulance services in district Baramulla and district Anantnag as well.
“With the addition of one more critical care ambulance, the services have been started in Baramulla and district Anantnag and addition of one more critical care ambulance is on cards,” Mudasir said.
Pertinently, the services were inaugurated at SKICC in Srinagar on July 18, 2019 and launched by Atal Dulloo, then Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education Department, along with Dr Omar Javed Shah, Director SKIMS and other invites—(KNO)
