GPS Tracking Of Ambulances In Bhubaneswar For Better Management Of COVID Patients

Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started GPS tracking of ambulances for better COVID management and quick transfer of patients to dedicated COVID hospitals (DCH) and COVID care centres (CCC).

The city authorities have a fleet of 64 ambulances under the COVID management programme, of which 40 have already become GPS-enabled. The rest will be fitted with the tracking devices very soon.

Bhubaneswar Smart City Ltd (BSCL) is looking after the technological upgradation part of the emergency vehicles engaged on COVID duty.

When a patient is referred for shifting to a DCH or CCC after due tele-consultation at BMC COVID Care 24×7 Helpline 1929, which operates from Smart City office, BMC allocates a bed in one of the COVID hospitals or CCC. An ambulance is then alerted to pick up the patient from his/her residence.

The upgraded ambulances are fitted with onboard GPS units for real-time tracking. This provides an estimated time of arrival of the ambulance to the patient’s residence, just like we get to know the location of a taxi when we book through various Apps on our mobile phones which provide taxi rental services.

Out of the 64 ambulances, 3 each are with 3 administrative zones under BMC. This number will be increased by 7 in each zone, making 10 ambulances available at each zone under the zonal control room for ambulance operation.

Presently there is an ORS officer, one ASO and one DEO to coordinate ambulance availability at the zonal level under BMC.

The rest of the 34 ambulances are at Capital Hospital in the heart of the city, under a Central Ambulance Control Room. It is coordinated by an OAS officer. Other supporting staff include an AYUSH doctor, an ASO and an DEO for coordinating various activities.

The supporting staff work in three shifts for the ambulances at the Capital Hospital.