Pune: The Maharashtra government’s free "Dial 108" ambulance service has proven to be a lifeline for thousands of patients and pregnant women in need of urgent medical care. Over the past ten years, the service has facilitated 3,695 deliveries inside ambulances for women who went into labor en route to hospitals in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and nearby areas.

Launched in 2014, the "Dial 108" initiative was aimed at providing free and timely emergency medical services. When a patient calls 108, an ambulance equipped with medical staff arrives at the location within 10-15 minutes and transports the patient to the nearest government hospital. This critical service has now completed a decade of operation in Maharashtra.

In Pune district, the ambulances have served a total of 959,000 patients in the past ten years. Of these, 614,000 were patients requiring immediate medical intervention, including those suffering from chest pain, paralysis attacks, fainting, heat strokes, and other emergencies.

The service has been especially crucial for pregnant women, with 150,000 expecting mothers availing of the service in Pune district alone. In 3,695 instances, women delivered their babies inside the ambulances under the supervision of on-duty doctors. These successful deliveries ensured the safety of both mothers and newborns.

Currently, Pune district has a fleet of 75 ambulances providing 24/7 free emergency medical services. The service has also equipped 548 critical patients with ventilators during transportation, further highlighting its importance in life-threatening situations.

Dr. Priyank Jawale, District Manager for "Dial 108" in Pune, stated, "The ambulance service has been instrumental in saving lives and ensuring timely medical care. For pregnant women in particular, the service has been a game-changer, ensuring safe deliveries even during transit."