Bhubaneswar: Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd(ZHL), the operating agency for 108 ambulance service in the Odisha, has organized a blood donation camp at Red Cross Bhawan, Bhubaneswar today. More than 100 crew members and employees had participated in this noble cause wholeheartedly and donated blood voluntarily. As chief guest, Mrunal Kanti Das, Additional Mission Director, NHM Odisha and Mr. Bibhuti Bhushan Pattanaik, IAS. (Retired), Honorary Secretary , Indian Red Cross Society Odisha State Branch, Bhubaneswar joined and graced the occasion and encouraged the volunteers towards serving more people of the state.
The 108 ambulance service was launched on March 5, 2013 and since then it has been able to serve more than 85 lakh persons across the state. This emergency health service has been able to connect patients with Govt health care institutions, breaking all barriers in urban and rural to inaccessible remote locations across the state.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sabyasachi Biswal, State Head of Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd said, “From last 9 years, we have been successfully providing emergency ambulance service to the people of the state. Our crew members have shown strong resolve in serving patients regardless of any circumstances. This blood donation camp reaffirms our commitment to serve public of Odisha.”
Currently, ZHL is operating 1124 numbers of 108 ambulances in all 30 districts of Odisha. Through 108 ambulance services, more than 85 lakh patients including pregnant women and children had utilised the service so far. Similarly, six 108 boat ambulances are stationed at areas cut-off by rivers. A dedicated call centre of the agency had always been on their toes to receive calls from distressed patients and transport them to hospitals at the earliest possible time. The executives at the Bhubaneswar-based integrated center identify the exact location of the patient and assist them to get the nearest available ambulance as fast as possible.
Apart from transporting patients, there are numerous examples, where the crew members have played important roles in saving valuable lives despite challenges galore. Many of its crew members have received praise and accolades from the public for their honesty and devotion towards duty, like returning valuable belongings of patients to their families and relatives, donating blood to needy patient on emergency or helping patient by going an extra mile.
