Emergency Medical Services – Knowledge is Power

It is terms like ‘The Golden Hour’ and the ‘Platinum Ten Minutes’ that typify the importance of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) all over the world. It is a well-accepted fact that a patient who receives basic care from trained professionals and is transported to the nearest healthcare facility within 15-20 minutes of an emergency has the greatest chance of survival. Emergency Medical Response Service is an essential part of the overall healthcare system as it saves lives by providing care immediately. It’s this recognition that has led to research and development in EMS. Over the years several advancements have been made and research is underway to create services that provide medical assistance to patients at the earliest. However, the state of EMS varies drastically from developed to developing countries like India.

Though the services have improved tremendously over the past decade, Awareness of the available services and preparedness are key issues among the general public. People also need to take initiative in knowing about the services being provided by available EMS. Indeed, an EMS that people are not aware of is as good as non-existent. For example, were you aware that companies like Ziqitza Health Care Limited have tied up with the government to make these services available to the general public thus using Public Private Partnership for common good. It has been operating Patient Transfer (Ambulance) services under the Dial 1298 for Ambulance model and Emergency Medical Response Service under the Dial 108 for Emergency model across the country for the past 7 years.

How does it work?

Dial 108 - an Emergency Medical Response Service initiative is a Public Private Partnership with State Governments, this could be either free to patient or on a user fees as per the contract with State Government. The service is provided to emergency victims. Currently ZHL is operating Ambulances under PPP model across the states of Kerala, Bihar, Odisha, Rajasthan and Punjab.

And Dial 1298 – a Patient Transfer Service is a Service model with cross subsidy, where the rich and affordable pays higher and the poor pays less, and for very poor/accidents/emergencies the service is free of cost. Currently this service is operational in the city of Mumbai, Punjab, Bihar and Kerala.

At a time when accidents are on the rise and the emphasis on preventing damage is greater than ever, the provision of pre-hospital care will be the key to ensure that lives are not lost due to avoidable circumstances.

About Ziqitza Health Care Limited

ZHL had been set up with a vision to assist in saving human lives by providing a leading network of fully equipped Advanced and Basic Life Support Ambulances across the developing world. ZHL is currently operating 860 Ambulances across Mumbai, Bihar, Kerala, Punjab, Odisha and Rajasthan. ZHL has reputed investors like Acumen Fund, GMR/AMR (USA largest Ambulance Company), HDFC, IDFC and India Value Fund on board.

ZHL’s Strategic Partners include London Ambulance Service, Life Supporters Institute of Health Science and New York Presbyterian Emergency Medical Service (NYP-EMS). Since inception ZHL has served more than 16,00,000 people across India. The vast experience ZHL has in this service and the processes they follow helps them to maintain high quality standards in the service industry.