Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has entered into a 10-year agreement with the consortium SUMEET SSG BVG Maharashtra EMS to implement a large-scale emergency ambulance network under the Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) 108 programme. With a total investment of Rs 1,600 crore, the project aims to strengthen emergency response infrastructure across the state by November 2025.
Phased Rollout to Begin in 2025
According to the agreement, the project will be rolled out in five phases starting in November 2025. The Public Health Department will oversee the implementation, aiming to ensure timely emergency care during the critical “golden hour.”
The MEMS 108 service will consist of a fleet of 1,756 ambulances, including:
Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances
Neonatal care units and first responder bikes
Sea and river boat ambulances for remote areas
Officials said that this diverse fleet is aimed at improving accessibility in both urban and rural regions, as well as in difficult-to-reach geographies.
Technology-Driven Emergency Response
The new ambulances will be equipped with a suite of digital tools to streamline operations and enhance coordination between field teams and healthcare facilities. These features include:
Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) and tablet PCs
GPS tracking and caller location identification systems
RFID-enabled equipment management
TRIAGE assessment tools
CCTV surveillance in vehicles
Back-end integration with Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), Vehicle Tracking and Management Systems (VTMS), and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools is expected to improve data handling and response time. Officials also revealed that the state’s long-term roadmap includes incorporating medical drones and helicopter-based EMS to further bolster rapid response capabilities. However, these components remain under planning and are not part of the initial implementation phase.
Also Read: UP Identifies 55 Plots for Non-Polluting Industrial Units in Yamuna Expressway Zone
Discussion about this post