Panaji (Goa): State Health department has decided to attach full time doctors to the `108’ ambulances which are specially commissioned to take care of cardiac emergencies.

“A doctor would be attached to the cardiac ambulances. Though the doctor would be sitting in casualty of the government run hospital, he will immediately attend to the patient brought by the ambulance,” State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane told reporters here in presence of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

This morning, Parrikar launched 10 new ‘108’ ambulances which are fitted advanced life saving system on it. The ambulances are equipped with the facilities to attend cardiac emergencies in the State.

Rane said that the State health department has decided to convert worn-out ‘108’ ambulances into hearse vans by refurbishing them. “There are several people who have to pay to carry back the bodies. These ambulances can be converted into hearse van,” he said.

“We will be able to have optimum utilization of these vehicles as a hearse van as they are not fit to be used as ambulances,” he said.

The minister said the ambulances are not fitted with the Global positioning system and their movements are monitored from the centrally located control room.
Team TNV