PANJIM: After the successful launch of two-wheeler ambulances, the State government on Friday launched the much-needed cardiac care ambulances, the first of its kind in India. A fleet of five such ambulances, funded by MRF, was launched by Heath Minister Vishwajit Rane.
The Health Department also launched the STEMI program, in association with Department of Cardiology of Goa Medical College, thus also becoming the first State to do so.
Addressing a press conference, the Health Minister said there was a vacuum in medical service in certain areas of Goa which the government was addressing.
“We want cardiac patients to get treatment right from point of our contact until he or she is admitted to the hospital as the initial time after a cardiac illness is quite critical,” he said, adding that the ambulances will be strategically placed at various in Goa which will be identified by a panel of doctors.
Rane further said, “The government is endeavouring to increase the scope of 108 ambulances. The government is also working on innovative models to provide health services to the people.”
The cardiac care ambulances are a critical component of the STEMI programme and are equipped with state-of-the-art machines to deal with emergencies.
“This occasion also marks the launch of the STEMI program which will be done in phases,” Rane said, adding they would train doctors, medical officers, etc, to thrombolyse patients at centre points such as Primary Health Centres, before they are referred to hospitals.
