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November 14, 2009 | A river ambulance service for Majuli islanders | Majauli (Assam): A ferry service is the only means of transportation for Majuli islanders, and due to this lack of transportation, residents often fail to access prompt medical facilities. Taking note of such a need, the Assam Government recently
introduced a river ambulance service in the form of a speedboat. It has life saving
equipment in it. It is the first of its kind public service scheme. The boat ambulance
was commissioned recently at Kamalabari, Majuli in Assam. The event marked the
completion of one year of the popular 108 emergency ambulance response service
Mrityunjoy in the State. Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), one of the major oil
producing companies of Assam, donated the speedboat at a function organized at
Kamalabari Ghat. It is intended to serve the medical needs of people living in
Majuli. The Speedboat, acquired from Kerala for Rs. 150,000, is made of fiberglass
and has arrangements for oxygen, stretchers, saline drips, and medical experts.
"We are trying to give a good high speed passenger boat which will have an accommodation
of about 40 passengers and will also help people to cross the river in a very
short time. We will give this to the people of Majuli," said L.S. Changsan, Deputy
Commissioner, Jorhat. "There was always this communication problem from Majuli
to the mainland Jorhat. Especially for the patients, this was a serious problem.
With this speedboat, we can now cross the river in about 20-25 minutes whereas
earlier it used to take an hour or more. This will be a great benefit," said P.K.
DAS, Managing Director, NRL, Numaligarh. The boat ambulance will tie up with 108
emergency response services on river's both sides; Neemati and Kamalabari Ghat,
for speedy and efficient healthcare service. Five more boat ambulances would be
introduced in Majuli and Sadiya under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM),
depending upon this pilot project delivering the desired results. It is widely
being hoped that the launch of the speedboat ambulance, the healthcare scenario
of the islanders will improve considerably. |
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