IN A major boost to emergency healthcare services, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday flagged-off a fleet of 370 advanced ambulances, marking a significant expansion of the State’s ‘108’ emergency response system and reinforcing its public health infrastructure. The newly- inducted fleet comprises 300 Basic Life Support (BLS) and 70 Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances, which have been deployed across all districts with immediate effect. With this rollout, the State Government has set a clear service benchmark, ensuring ambulance reach within 15 minutes in urban areas and within 30 minutes in rural regions, aimed at delivering timely and efficient medical assistance during emergencies. Describing the initiative as a transformative step, the Chief Minister said that healthcare services in Chhattisgarh have witnessed substantial strengthening over the past two years. He noted that public confidence in government healthcare institutions has grown steadily due to improved infrastructure and better service delivery. Expansion and upgradation of sub-health centres, primary health centres and community health centres have reduced dependency on urban hospitals for routine treatment, particularly in rural areas. He emphasised that the Government’s priority remains to ensure that no citizen is deprived of immediate medical assistance in times of crisis. The expansion of the 108 ambulance network, he said, reflects the administration’s commitment to providing accessible, responsive and people-centric healthcare services.

 

A key highlight of the rollout is the introduction of five neonatal Advanced Life Support ambulances for the first time in the State. These specialised units are designed to provide critical care to newborns and facilitate their safe transfer to higher medical centres. Terming it a milestone in neonatal healthcare, the Chief Minister said the initiative highlights the Government’s resolve to safeguard infant lives through advanced medical intervention. Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal described the development as a historic achievement for the State’s health sector, stating that the expanded ambulance services would benefit lakhs of citizens by ensuring rapid medical response. He pointed out that Chhattisgarh has become the second State in the country to introduce dedicated neonatal ambulance services. The Minister further stated that strict monitoring mechanisms have been put in place to ensure accountability in ambulance operations. Any delay or deficiency in service delivery will invite prompt action, he added. The neonatal ALS ambulances are equipped with stateof-the-art life-saving systems, including incubators, ventilators, defibrillators, syringe pumps, nebulizers, suction machines and sufficient oxygen support. They also carry 41 categories of emergency medicines and are staffed with trained neonatal emergency technicians, besides roundthe-clock availability of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and drivers.

 

Real-time consultation support from specialist doctors further enhances the quality of care during transit, effectively turning these units into ‘mobile neonatal intensive care units’. The BLS and ALS ambulances are similarly fitted with advanced diagnostic and emergency care equipment, including blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, ECG monitors and glucometers, along with oxygen supply and nebulisation facilities. For critically ill patients, additional equipment such as portable ventilators, defibrillator monitors, syringe pumps and laryngoscopes have been provided, ensuring comprehensive care from the point of pickup to hospital admission. The officials noted that the initiative is expected to have a far-reaching impact, particularly in remote and underserved areas, where timely access to emergency healthcare has often been a challenge. By reducing response time and enhancing on-site treatment capabilities, the Government aims to significantly improve patient outcomes and save lives. The flag-off ceremony was attended by MLAs Motilal Sahu and Indra Kumar Sahu, CGMSC Chairman Deepak Mhaskey, Health Secretary Amit Kataria, Director Health Services Sanjeev Jha, NHM Managing Director Ranbir Sharma, Medical Education Commissioner Ritesh Agrawal, along with senior officials and healthcare personnel.