Date:10/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/10/stories/2008101061310300.htm

New Delhi

Ambulance service augmented

NEW DELHI: The Delhi Cabinet has decided to augment the ambulance service in the Capital by deploying 150 more new fully-equipped ambulances and 20 two-wheeler responder ambulances.

Ms. Dikshit, who presided over the meeting, said her government was committed to providing pre-hospital emergency medical response service of international standard to Delhiites with at least one ambulance per lakh population, which is the recommended norm.

“We have undertaken an exercise to explore the feasibility and modalities of expanding the ambulance service in the Capital. Since 1991, ambulance service has been provided through the Centralised Accidents and Trauma Services,” she said.

The service would be restricted to Delhi. It would be ensured that the ambulance reaches the patients or sites within 15-20 minutes, the Chief Minister said.