CM Siddaramaiah launches ‘Apatakalyana’, 65 emergency ambulances service

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday launched 65 new ambulances under the Chief Minister’s Emergency Ambulance Service, named ‘Apatakalayana’, dedicated to providing emergency treatment during the critical golden hour and saving the lives of patients injured in road accidents.

After the launch, CM Siddaramaiah addressed the occasions and emphasized that the government prioritizes road safety, implementing various programmes to reduce accident-related deaths. “Today, 65 ambulances were dedicated to public service. Funding will be allocated to expand this initiative statewide”, he said.

He urged public cooperation, adherence to road safety rules, and responsible driving habits. “Drunk driving and speeding will not be tolerated; licenses will be revoked”, he instructed the Transport Minister.

Siddaramaiah appealed to citizens to avoid reckless driving and follow traffic rules for a safer Karnataka.

Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said  Karnataka witnesses 40,000 accidents annually, resulting in 10,000 deaths. To reduce the number, the government has launched ‘Apatkalyana’ ambulances, named after the Chief Minister, to provide emergency services.

“Under CM Siddaramaiah’s leadership, the government committed to expanding this initiative in all taluk hospitals next year”, he said.

The project has been successfully implemented under the Road Safety Fund with the cooperation of the Transport Department and Home and Local Government departments.

65 new ambulances have been launched under the Chief Minister’s Emergency Ambulance Service, dedicated to providing emergency treatment during the critical golden hour and saving the lives of patients injured in road accidents.

Here are the key details about these ambulances,… pic.twitter.com/Y2uCbFSkVL

— Dinesh Gundu Rao/ದಿನೇಶ್ ಗುಂಡೂರಾವ್ (@dineshgrao) September 23, 2024

In its first phase, 65 ambulances, including 26 ambulances with advanced life support technology and 39 basic life support vehicles, have been allocated to government hospitals.

65 accident-prone areas have been identified, and ambulances have been strategically placed near these locations, Rao added.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said that the road safety fund has already been sanctioned for this initiative. He announced that his department will provide necessary assistance to allocate more ambulances.

A road safety authority has been established to reduce accidents and fatalities. The health department’s decision to dedicate ambulances for accident cases is commendable.”The transport department will fully support expanding this initiative statewide”, he said.

Ambulances which offer their services completely free of charge will operate as follows:

* The ambulance service will be available near hospitals in accident-prone areas.
* 65 hotspots identified, with ambulances allocated to nearby taluk and district hospitals.
* Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances available for emergency cases
* Health department staff nurses will be deputed to ambulances when district hospital treatment is required.
* Ventilator facilities are provided for transporting patients to district hospitals
* Ambulances equipped with necessary equipment, medicines, drugs, and some edible items. This process plays a crucial role in saving lives and reduces personal expenses for transportation.