J-K Governor launches new ambulance service

To augment the state government's fleet of ambulances, Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra today launched a new ambulance service and said that a well coordinated approach was required to fill the "gaps" in medical emergency services.
The ambulance service will be run by the 'H N Wanchoo Trust' in association with the State Health Department.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor observed that, "a well coordinated approach is required to fill the gaps in our medical emergency services".
"Our ambulance facilities suffer on the account of uncertain operational reliability, inadequate resuscitation equipments and non availability of the optimum number of adequately trained and experienced medical and para medical staff to man the ambulances," Vohra said here.

The Governor also advised to prepare a standing drill, which is relevant for application from the village to the city level, and made known to all the government medical centres and public at large.
He said total coordination is imperative for enabling a sick person to be safely transported to the nearest medical care facility.

The Governor also made a suggestion to the Health Minister Chaudhaury La Singh to dovetail the region-wise Ambulance Services Plan with the requirement of providing immediate help to accident cases on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway by entering into the required collaborative arrangements with the National Highway Authority of India, so that any unfortunate happening could be dealt with promptly.

The vehicles for the new ambulance service have been donated by an NGO and a media group from Maharashtra.
'Sarhad', a Pune-based NGO, and 'Sakal Media Group' of Maharashtra, donated the ambulances for the service launched by Vohra at SKICC here, an official spokesman said.
Vohra complimented Sarhad, Sakal Media Group and H N Wanchoo Trust for the noble initiative taken by them to promote the humanitarian cause.