108 Ambulance Service feted by Odisha CM for exemplary work during Bahanaga Rescue operations

Bhubaneswar: The 108 Ambulance Service operated by Ziqitza Health Care Ltd in Odisha since 2013 was appreciated and felicitated by Hon’ble CM Sri Naveen Patnaik on 13^th August 2023 for the extraordinary service provided during the horrific Bahanaga train accident. The felicitation ceremony was held at Lok Seva Bhawan to felicitate Volunteers, institutions, and agencies involved in the rescue and support work during the Bahanaga train accident tragedy. In this felicitation program, MD NHM, IAS, Dr. Brundha D and Project Head of 108 Ambulance Sri Sabyasachi Biswal received the award from Hon’ble CM for the extraordinary work on behalf of 108 Ambulance Service.

Terming this award as ‘ Super Special’, Sri Sabyasachi Biswal, State Head, Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd said, “We have been operating in Odisha for the last 11 years and the rescue operation during the Bahanaga train tragedy was a challenging job in many aspects. It was because 229 Emergency Medical Ambulances from 11 districts were mobilized within the first couple of hours. It was possible only due to the intense engagement of senior officials of Govt of Odisha.  In the past few years,  the 108 Ambulance service has bolstered its services and transformed the medical emergency services in the state with faster response, dedicated monitoring and extending the reach up to far-flung regions of the state.

Started with a just 280 Ambulances, now ZHL operates 1,124 ambulances under the 108 ambulance service across all 30 districts of Odisha. So far, this service has benefited over  one crore patients, including pregnant women and children. Additionally, six 108-boat ambulances are stationed in cut-off areas by rivers. The dedicated call center tirelessly attends to distressed patients and promptly dispatches the nearest available ambulance to ensure safe transportation of patients to hospitals.

Its Bhubaneswar-based 24×7 integrated center’s executives efficiently locate patients and assist them in receiving the necessary medical attention at the earliest in real-time. The 108 ambulance service was launched on March 5, 2013. This essential emergency healthcare service has bridged the gap between patients and government healthcare institutions, overcoming barriers in both urban and remote rural areas of Odisha.

Apart from patient transportation, the crew members of ZHL have consistently gone above and beyond their duty, often playing vital roles in saving precious lives. Their honesty and dedication have been acknowledged by the public, with instances of returning valuable belongings of patients to their families, donating blood to needy patients in emergencies, and providing exceptional assistance to patients in need.