Odisha Chief Minister Inaugurates Major Ambulance Fleet Expansion
In a significant move to strengthen emergency healthcare infrastructure, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday inaugurated 250 new ambulances. This marks the second phase of the state's ambitious expansion of emergency medical transport services, with a clear focus on reducing response times and improving access to critical hospital care for citizens across the region.
Phased Rollout of Emergency Medical Vehicles
The state government has arranged a total of 428 new ambulances to reinforce timely emergency services. The first phase saw the launch of 150 ambulances in December last year, followed by the addition of another 250 vehicles this week. With this latest deployment, the government is accelerating efforts to ensure faster patient transportation throughout Odisha, particularly in critical cases where delays can significantly increase mortality risks.
Officials revealed that the state has invested approximately Rs 111 crore from its own funds for the procurement and deployment of these new ambulances. The expanded fleet is designed to support both urban and rural coverage, enhancing connectivity between primary healthcare points and higher medical centers.
Current Emergency Medical Transport Landscape
At present, 866 emergency ambulance services are operational across Odisha. Additionally, 500 ambulances under the Janani Express service are dedicated exclusively to transporting pregnant women and sick children, providing targeted support for maternal and child health needs. According to official figures from the chief minister's office, the ambulance network is extensively utilized, with more than 5,000 patients transported to government hospitals daily.
Government's Commitment to Reducing Mortality
Addressing the gathering at the inauguration ceremony, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized that the government's priority is to reduce mortality by ensuring patients reach hospitals quickly. "Continuous steps are being taken to strengthen ambulance operations and improve service efficiency across all districts," he stated.
The chief minister also outlined comprehensive measures to maintain uninterrupted ambulance services:
- Ensuring connectivity from all blocks to district headquarters hospitals
- Establishing reliable transport from district headquarters hospitals to major medical facilities such as SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack
- Extending ambulance services to airstrips including Rourkela and Jeypore under the Viman Yojana to support emergency air transfers
This expansion is expected to further enhance medical services for people in high-emergency situations, particularly in remote areas.
Specialized Ambulance Services
Officials noted that five Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances are currently deployed at various airports across the state, while two ALS ambulances are dedicated specifically to the cancer hospital in Jharsuguda. These specialized vehicles are equipped to handle critical medical emergencies requiring advanced care during transport.
The comprehensive ambulance network expansion represents Odisha's commitment to building a robust emergency medical response system that can save lives by reducing transportation delays and improving access to quality healthcare facilities throughout the state.
