Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Chennai, Oct 15 (IANS) EMRI Green Health Services, which operates the ‘108’ emergency ambulance service in coordination with the Tamil Nadu Health System Project, has put its entire fleet of 1,353 ambulances on high alert across the state to deal with medical emergencies during the Diwali festival from October 19 to 25.
In a statement, EMRI Green Health Services said it is estimated to deal with around 6,500 emergencies during the festive week – an increase of around 30 per cent compared to normal days.
To ensure uninterrupted emergency response, the Emergency Operations Center will function at full capacity with personnel deployed in three shifts throughout the week.
The organization has also identified “Diwali hotspots” across the state, where emergency calls traditionally increase due to road accidents, firecracker-related burns and health issues arising from smoke and noise pollution.
Dedicated ambulance fleets will be deployed near major government hospitals to support inter-facility patient transfers, ensure faster response time and effective coordination with the district administration.
In Chennai, 11 major Diwali hotspots have been marked for emergency coverage – Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus at Kilambakkam, Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus at Koyambedu, Puratchi Thalaivar Dr MGR Central Railway Station, Egmore Railway Station, Ranganathan Street, Pondy Bazaar, Marina Beach, Elliot Beach, Guindy Children’s Park, Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore, and Parthasarathy Temple in Triplicane.
According to officials, these places have witnessed an increase in crowd movement, travel activity and festive gatherings, leading to the deployment of additional ambulances and medical teams.
“All our control rooms and field teams will work round the clock, ensuring immediate medical aid to accident and burn victims during the festival days,” an official said.
Emergency response teams have also been directed to closely coordinate with fire and rescue services, traffic police and local health authorities to manage incidents more efficiently.
Public awareness messages on safe festive practices and use of green crackers are being disseminated through various platforms.
The ‘108’ ambulance service, operated under a public-private partnership model, attends more than 4,000 emergencies daily across Tamil Nadu, including road accidents, maternity cases, trauma and cardiac incidents.
With festive rush expected to increase, the service has urged the public to dial 108 immediately in case of any emergency.
–IANS
fish/skp