Now, keep track of 108 ambulances on mobile phones

The 108 ambulance network, on an average, handles 5,000 emergencies in a day, according to officials.
| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

After a pilot run, the 108 ambulance network has rolled out its application — ‘Avasaram 108 Tamilnadu’ — that will now enable persons seeking ambulances for medical emergencies to track the vehicles on their mobile phones. Not only through the app but also by SMS, as those who call the 108 Emergency Response Centre on their mobile phones will receive an SMS with a link for real-time tracking of the ambulances.

Tamil Nadu has a total of 1,353 ambulances in the 108 network. Of these, 70 are in Chennai. The 108 ambulance service’s Emergency Response Centre receives nearly 13,000 calls daily. This includes follow-up calls from persons who seek an ambulance and call again to check the vehicle’s arrival status. The network, on an average, handles 5,000 emergencies in a day, according to officials.

“With this app, once they register, people can click on a tab and seek an ambulance without having to call the Emergency Response Centre. Some basic details need to be entered in the app. While it features automatic assignment of the nearest ambulance, as of now, our Emergency Response Officer will call to confirm the need. Once the vehicle is assigned, the caller can track the ambulance on the map. Details of the vehicle number that is assigned, a contact number, and an estimated time of arrival will be displayed in the app,” said M. Selvakumar, State Head of Operations, EMRI Green Health Services, which operates the 108 ambulance network in the State under the Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project.

The advantage of the app is that people need not call the Emergency Response Centre repeatedly to check vehicle’s status, he said. The app also features details of the nearest government and private hospitals, blood banks, and other medical facilities. It can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and is currently available for Android devices.

Tracking the ambulance has also been made possible for people who call the 108’s Emergency Response Centre. “Those who call from their mobile phones will receive an SMS containing a link for real-time tracking of the ambulance,” Mr. Selvakumar added.

“We get several follow-up calls a day. Sometimes, the lines get choked due to the repeated calls. This app and SMS facility will help persons track the ambulances as well as guide the ambulance pilot or emergency medical technician on the route or location,” he said.