Delhi to get 430 ambulances by 2008

New Delhi, Feb 1 (UNI) In an attempt to streamline emergency services in the national capital, the Delhi Government will procure around 430 ambulances by 2008.

After chairing a meeting of senior health officials, Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit said 30 ambulances would be made available every month. At present, there are only 135 ambulances in Delhi.

''With adequate number of ambulances in Delhi, the Health Department would be able to streamline emergency services,'' she said.

The Chief Minister said three trauma centres will be functional well before the commencement of the 2010 Commonwealth Games whereas five trauma centres have been planned for Delhi.

She instructed the Health Department to sanction functional autonomy to few selected hospitals to ensure smooth management.

Chief Minister also directed the officials to ensure construction of hospitals and procurement of medical equipment within stipulated time as delay in any form leads to denial of health services to the people.

The Health Department has been asked to take immediate action for recruitment of 650 vacant posts of GDMOs, non-teaching and teaching medical personnel and recruit retired staff on contract to keep the functioning of hospitals and dispensaries alive.

Another 1000 recruitments to the post of paramedical and posts of nurses would be completed by this year.

Ms Dikshit today laid the foundation stone of 500 bedded earthquake-resistant new block at Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital in East Delhi.

UNI