In a major boost to the state’s existing emergency medical health services, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged off 83 new basic life support (BLS) ambulances into the 108 Mrityunjoy fleet here on Thursday.
A total of 150 new BLS ambulances will be inducted in a phased manner, 83 ambulances being rolled out on Thursday.
Lauding the services of 108 Mrityunjoy, Dr Sarma said that they have been providing vital services to the people of Assam by responding to emergency health situations.
Stating that the induction of additional 150 ambulances will further augment this service, the chief minister said, “These ambulances will be beneficial for patients in rural and urban areas of Assam and aid in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in the State.”
The chief minister also highlighted government plans to come up with universal health insurance through Ayushman Assam for those left out of Ayushman Bharat. He stressed that the scheme will cover senior citizens, journalists, people without NFSS ration cards, etc.
He further said that birth and death registration will be made completely digital. “Certificates to be issued to parents and next of kin in case of birth and death respectively, he added,” Dr Sarma added.
Notably, the total numbers of ambulances currently operational in the state are; 779 basic life support (BLS) surface ambulances, 14 advanced life support (ALS) surface ambulances and 7 boat ambulances.
