108 (emergency telephone number)

108 is a free telephone number for emergency services in India. It is currently operational in 21 states (Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh) and two Union Territories (Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.) The 108 Emergency Response Service is a free emergency service providing integrated medical, police and fire emergency services. This 108 service is rolled out initially by Ramalinga Raju and Family. Dr.Y.S Rajashekar Reddy who was then the Chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, was the initial chief minister to sign an agreement with EMRI to roll out services in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Because of the life saving service went so popular mainly in the rural parts of combined Andhra Pradesh. Following Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu got Loan from World Bank and Initiated the Services in 2007 and Launched in Sep 2008. In Madhya Pradesh, the 108 GVK Ambulance facility was in July 2009 implemented by Hon'ble Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, which was inaugurated by then Health Minister Mr. Narottam Mishra. The service is a public-private partnership between state governments and private EMS providers. Following Early Successes, Central Government UPA2 started Funding This 108 Ambulance Services. And the system was designed by Satyam Infotech. As of November 2014^[update], this service had handled over 540,000 emergency cases in India.^{[citation needed]}Telling Siri on an iOS device will call emergency services.

How it works

When an emergency is reported through 108, the call taker gathers the needed basic information and dispatches appropriate services. Basic information obtained includes:

• Where the call is placed from. ( district / taluka /city / town / exact location / landmark )
• The type of emergency.
• Number of people injured and the condition of the injured.
• The caller's name and contact number – for location guidance if required.

Emergency help dispatched through this process is expected to reach the site of the emergency in an average of 18 minutes. Pre-hospital care will be given to patients being transported to the nearest hospital.

GVK EMRI^[1] operates Dial 108 in Emergency in public private partnership with state governments. The service is normally free to patients.

References

External links

• ""Call '108' and save a life"". The Hindu. 31 March 2009. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
• '108' Emergency Ambulance Services at Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project
• VMEDO Emergency Ambulance Services App