108 Service Emerges as Lifeline in Medical Emergencies Across AP
The service is free of cost and available round the clock across the state
VIJAYAWADA: The 108 emergency ambulance service has demonstrated its critical role by saving as many as 9,183 patients who suffered heart attacks or cardiac arrests over the past three months, underlining the effectiveness of the service in handling time-sensitive situations.
Health officials emphasise that the success of 108 service lies in its ambulance staff’s ability to deliver immediate medical care, rather than merely transporting patients to the hospitals.
Equipped with advanced medical technology and supported by well-trained Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), the ambulances function as mobile emergency units capable of initiating life-saving interventions on the spot.
In most cases, the ambulances have succeeded in reaching patients to the hospital within the crucial “Golden Hour” — a vital window following a heart attack when timely medical attention can significantly improve survival outcomes.
Soon after the ambulance arrives at the patient’s location, EMTs quickly assess the patient’s condition. Accordingly, they begin administering essential care, including oxygen support, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), blood pressure management, and stabilisation.
Officials point out that unlike many private ambulance services that primarily focus on transportation, the 108 system is designed to provide comprehensive emergency care. Each ambulance is fitted with modern equipment and dome cameras that enable doctors stationed at the Emergency Response Control Centre to monitor patients in real time and guide EMTs in critical cases.
Apart from cardiac emergencies, the service has proven invaluable in handling maternity cases. Several successful deliveries have been conducted inside the ambulances, particularly in rural and remote areas, where access to hospitals gets delayed. The seamless coordination between EMTs and supervising doctors ensures that even complex situations are managed effectively.
Officials have appealed to people not to ignore symptoms, such as chest pain, breathing difficulty, or excessive sweating. They must dial 108 immediately. The service is free of cost and available round the clock across the state.