‘Golden hour’ help: 50 ambulances in accident-prone areas

In an attempt to ensure road accident victims get treatment within the crucial 'golden hour', the BMC plans to station 50 ambulances near accident-prone areas of the city.

The project is expected to take off in a couple of months. The ambulances equipped with medical instruments carrying paramedical staff will be stationed across the city and will ferry accident victims to the nearest BMC hospital. The ambulances will be functional 24/7.

"Every year, hundreds die simply of bleeding and post-accident trauma because they haven't been able to reach a hospital in time. With the heavy traffic in the city, it becomes difficult for patients to get treatment on time. The purpose of this project to ensure no victim dies because of lack of timely treatment," said Geeta Gawli, health committee chairperson of the BMC.

The 50 ambulances will be stationed at their respective stands in each area. The money to run the ambulances will be obtained from advertisements at the ambulance stand. Each ambulance will have a male assistant, a female nurse, and drivers working in two shifts day and night. The health committee will finalise a toll-free helpline specifically for these ambulances.

"The plan will initially be for 15 years. Depending on efficiency of the project and the response, there will be further extension," Gawli said. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Mumbai registered 3,525 road accidents between 2007 and 2011, the fourth highest in the country.

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