Ahmedabad: Violence after Patel agitation added 30% more cases for 108 emergency services

“On an average we handle 15-20 cases daily in Ahmedabad, but we got 30 per cent more cases in these three days since August 25th, when violence marred the city post the Patidar rally. Since Tuesday, we have got 8-10 emergency cases of people daily who were affected or assaulted in the violence that followed, including around 5 policemen on several days. Around 11-12 people were injured on the GMDC ground during the day of the Patel rally. If we take into account that each day we handle around 2600 emergency cases in Gujarat, then we received an average of 300 more emergency ambulance response calls in these three days. In fact, people found it safer to enlist services of 108 during these three days as they feared mob violence, while using their own vehicles to transport ailing relatives to avail medical services,” said Jaswant Prajapati, COO of GVK EMRI.

On Saturday, a new Training and Research Centre(TRC) was inaugurated by state’s health & family welfare minister Nitin Patel and Shankarbhai Chaudhary, MoS, Health in the presence of K Krishnam Raju- Director of GVK EMRI and other dignitaries. A total of 25 new 108 ambulance and 10 new Khilkhilat vans were also launched at the event.

A total of Rs 17,51000 had been set aside in the state’s annual budget to aid the services which has a fleet of 550 hi-tech ambulances. A press release from GVK EMRI mentioned that the 108 services had handled 57 lakh emergencies including 55.49 lakh medical related, 81478 police-related and 5456 fire related emergencies since its launch till 31st July 2014 in Gujarat.