Bhubaneswar: In a significant boost to emergency healthcare services, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday flagged off 150 new 108 ambulances at a programme held at Kalinga Stadium here.
This is the first phase of a major fleet upgrade initiative by the Health Department.
According to a CMO release, the state government has procured 428 new 108 ambulances at a cost of Rs 111 crore to replace outdated vehicles and enhance rapid response capabilities. These include replacements for 419 old ambulances, along with additional Advanced Life Support (ALS) units — five for airports/airstrips under the Commerce and Transport Department, and two for the Cardiac Care Hospital in Jharsuguda.
“To make healthcare delivery faster and more efficient, we are phasing out old ambulances and introducing new ones. This will strengthen the 108 Emergency Medical Ambulance Service (EMAS) across the state,” CM Majhi said, emphasising the government’s commitment to improving emergency medical services.
He added that the remaining ambulances will be rolled out by January end, completing the full replacement of the old EMAS fleet.
Currently, the 108 service transports approximately 5,000 patients daily to various hospitals statewide, serving as a critical lifeline for emergency care.
The event was attended by Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Ekamra Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, Health Department Commissioner-Secretary Ashwathi S, National Health Mission Odisha Director Brunda D, and several other senior officials and staff from the department.
