AP CM, Kalam to dedicate free health service

Hyderabad, Aug 14 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekara Reddy with former President A P J Abdul Kalam will dedicate toll-free 108 emergency service to the people of the State under the Public-Private partnership mode tomorrow.

Dr Reddy will also launch 104 service under which doctors advice people on health related information over phone, which was earlier called as 1056 service, an official release here today said.

The Chief Minister today reviewed the Rajiv Arogyasri programme with Finace Minister K Rosaiah, Satyam Computers Chairman Ramalinga Raju and senior officials of Medical and Health department.

It was decided in the meeting to bring all the three health schemes, Emergency Medical Research Institute (EMRI-108)services, Health Management Research Institute (HMRI-104) services and the Arogyasri Health Insurance scheme under one umbrella called 'Rajiv Arogyasri'.

Under the EMRI and HMRI Scheme, 95 per cent of the expenditure would be borne by the State Government and the rest with technical assistance from Satyam Foundation. Under EMRI, So far 380 ambulances were working under EMRI-108 service and 122 more ambulances would be added taking its total to 502.

In all, 14000 lives were saved so far with 108. With 104, a doctor or a nurse would come over the line and provide the information to the patient on the treatment required or the near-by hospital and the doctor to contact. If it is not cured, then the 108 ambulance will come and drop the patient in a near-by hospital or the required hospital.

All the services were free and toll charges are free for 108 and 104.

UNI