TN health scheme for emergency ambulance service

Chennai, Mar 20 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government today announced that it would launch a special health scheme, whereby people from anywhere in the State can dial a common telephone number to request emergency ambulance service.

Finance Minister K Anbazhagan, presenting the budget proposals for 2008-09 in the Assembly today, said a computer-based central control room would provide this service with GPS-fitted ambulances.

''The services of Police and Fire service department would also be integrated to this system, therby ensuring immediate assistance to the public in situations of emergency,'' he added.

Mr Anbazhagan informed that a centre for providing immediate medical care to people affected in large numbers during natural calamities and major accidents, would be set up here with Central assistance.

Under the Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project, 227 Government Hospitals would be upgraded in the next fiscal by way of various measures like carrying out improvement works, provision of medical equipment and appointment of specialist doctors, he said.

Mr Anbazhagan said a sum of Rs 221 crore had been allocated for purchasing medicine for all Government Hospitals in the State.

As against a sum of Rs 1,487 crore in 2005-2006, Rs 2,741 crore had been provided for the Health and Family Welfare department in this budget, he informed.

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