People in remote areas to get aid on motorcycle

Two-wheeler ambulance service will initially be available in Lahore

LAHORE: In order to provide immediate rescue services to people in remote areas of Punjab, the health department has decided to launch motorcycle emergency services under the umbrella of Rescue 1122.

Initially the service will be launched in Lahore and will be extended to all 36 districts of the province later, a Rescue 1122 spokesperson said. Two trained paramedics will provide healthcare services by reaching on motorcycle at the doorstep of the people.

“People from far-flung areas will be able to get medical help by just dialing 1122, be it for motorcycle or ambulance service,” the spokesperson said.



Punjab Additional Chief Secretary Shamail Ahmad Khawaja also held a meeting with a nine-member Turkish delegation of public health experts currently on a visit to Punjab.

A press statement said the additional chief secretary informed the delegation that the motorcycle ambulance service would be integrated with all the tertiary hospitals of Punjab. It would also help overcome the burden at government-run hospitals.

Taking inspiration

The Public Hospital Management Agency has been designed on the analogy of Turkish Public Health Management Agency in Punjab.



The government wants to outsource the non-core clinical services, medical research, diagnostic facilities, incineration, laundry services, parking and security arrangements of two tertiary hospitals, one in Lahore and one in Faisalabad, along with two secondary healthcare hospitals of Sheikhupura and Muzaffargarh districts.

Khawaja told the Turkish delegation a 15-point memorandum of understanding had already been signed at a ceremony that was held in Hazuri Bagh, Lahore in November 17 in the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th, 2016.