UP cops to double up as paramedics

Lucknow, July 3 (UNI) The common man in Uttar Pradesh can now bank upon the police to rush him to the hospital at odd hours in case of a medical emergency.

State Director General of Police (DGP) Vikram Singh has issued a circular to all district police chiefs asking them to provide timely assistance to people suffering from heart attack or paralitic stroke at odd hours.

As per the orders issued yesterday evening, the DGP has said that anyone who calls up the police control room seeking medical assistance between 2100 hrs and 0600 hrs should be provided with an ambulance of either the district police or traffic police.

''If the patient is a woman, then women constable should be sent along with the police vehicle,'' the circular added.

The DGP has also asked police personnel to shorten the 'response time' while reaching out to the patient. ''The officials should be well-versed with the geography of the area,'' he stressed.

The DGP has also warned officials to be on guard against criminals who may make a bogus distress call and later attack cops to snatch their weapons or vehicle.

''People who do not have a vehicle or cannot drive one to take the patient to the hospital at odd hours can now rely on police personnel...instead of waiting for an ambulance, people can now call '100' and avail a police ambulance or patrol jeep to reach hospital,'' said a senior police officer.

UNI