Modernised Dial-112 ambulance control rooms set up across Haryana

To improve efficiency and streamline operations of Dial-112 ambulance services, the Health Department has established dedicated and modernised control rooms in all districts of Haryana. To further increase public awareness, LED screens displaying information about Dial-112 ambulance services have also been installed at prominent locations across districts.

Dial-112 is a centralised emergency response system that integrates police, ambulance and fire brigade services. Any person requiring an ambulance can dial 112, after which the request is automatically routed to the nearest available ambulance for a quicker response.

Apart from the call-based system, the district control centres also offer offline assistance. People can directly approach the control room to request ambulance services, especially for drop-back facilities for women and newborns after delivery.

Earlier, the ambulance control room functioned from a small cabin located away from trauma centres and emergency areas, often causing inconvenience to patients and attendants seeking ambulance services.

“For ambulance services, the Health Department has set up these control rooms near Trauma Centres and emergency service areas at district civil hospitals so that physical demand for ambulances or manual calls can be attended to, especially for drop-up services for women after delivery. In the new set-up, a two-way communication system using microphones and speakers has been installed at the counter. Nobody needs to come inside the office,” said Dr Virender Yadav, Director Health Services (NHM Haryana).

He said the initiative was launched around one-and-a-half months ago and that all district hospitals are now fully equipped with such control rooms to strengthen emergency medical services.

“With the help of mobile data terminal (MDT) devices, the control room can track and trace ambulances, which helps in monitoring response time,” he added.

According to Dr Yadav, the average ambulance response time across the state has improved significantly, dropping from 16 minutes about three months ago to 10 minutes in December. “We have kept a target to reduce it below 10,” he said.

Dr Poonam Chaudhary, Civil Surgeon, Karnal, said a similar control room has been set up within the Trauma Centre premises, where dedicated staff provide round-the-clock services.

In Karnal district, the average response time has reduced from 22 minutes in September to 12 minutes in December. “We have set a target to further reduce the response time to 10 minutes,” she said.

The new control room in Karnal is currently managing a fleet of 30 ambulances equipped with MDT devices, she added.