CHENNAI: The GPS based mobile application, ‘Avasaram 108,’ launched by state health department to provide ambulance services at accident spots has reached 10,000 downloads in four months. However, the users await updates of second stage confirmation and call alerts and emphasis on the need of an ambulance tracking system to estimate the arrival time.
‘Avasaram 108,’ was launched to cut down the ambulance response time in emergency cases, especially to ease the ambulance reach accident spots. The reliability of the mobile application even in case of unavailability of Internet has been appreciated by the users and more than 500 cases have been reported using the application till now. However, there have been many false alerts due to lack of second stage confirmation by the helpline as even one accidental tap leads to an alert. “I accidentally clicked the call option that appears when the application is opened and it sent my home information to the ambulance service.
I could not contact the helpline immediately to inform the same. Such instances can be avoided by introducing a second stage confirmation through a call from the 108-helpline call centre once an alert is made by the user,” said Sathish Kumar, a user of the mobile application.
Another user Raja Babu reviewed the application saying that nearby police station and hospitals should also be listed once the alert is made, as a link with traffic police would ease the tracking system of accident spots. “Photo upload option would help to keep a check on false or accidental calls,” he said.
“State health department is working to introduce updates that can work on methods to receive second stage confirmation from users,” said Prabhu Das, a senior official at 108-helpline-call centre.
Other users asked for small changes such as local language options and need of GPS tracker in all ambulances. Senior officials of the state health said that there are plans to introduce GPS tracker in all ambulances and will be implemented soon.
