State launches mobile app for emergency medical services

Aug. 25--Getting help in case of an emergency from the Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) is now easier than ever, as the state government has launched a mobile app -- 'Dial 108 BVG MEMS Helpline' -- that will make the service available within minutes. State public health minister Dr Deepak Sawant launched the app on Wednesday that will allow reporting emergencies to MEMS from smartphones by either calling or texting.

Significantly, the app will also report the medical emergency to close relatives and friends of the user, by sending them a text message. For that their contact details will have to be registered with the application at the time of download.

How will the app work?

Once contact is made through call or sms with 108 services, the emergency response officer sitting at Emergency Response Centre will automatically get details like name and location of the caller and they will immediately dispatch ambulance services to that location within the response time. This will result in reducing the response time to the emergency by few more minutes. The app also provides options where you can choose whether the emergency is to be reported for self or for others.

MEMS project was started on March 1, 2014 which provides ambulances equipped with modern medical equipments and trained attendants. This free ambulance service can be availed by dialling the toll free number 108. At present, 937 ambulances are being pressed under the project.

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