Media Release

Bengaluru, Apr 24: Mohammed Aasif programme manager (South Karnataka), ‘GVK EMRI 108 Emergency Services shared important points of 108 activities during COVID-19 in Bengaluru and Ramanagara.

As per the instructions from the Department of Health and Family Welfare Government of Karnataka Aasif, the regional manager Yathiesh N and state head Hanumanth arranged and deputed 30 ambulances for COVID-19 special duty. Over 27 ambulances (108) were deputed in Bengaluru out of which six were meant for service at the Bangalore International Airport and three ambulances (108) for Mangaluru.

The first COVID-19 case was shifted as on March 5 from Bangalore International Airport to Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, Bengaluru. Till date, Aasif's ambulance service has shifted approximately 700 suspected and positive cases to hospitals.

During the COVID-19 below facilities/support have been provided:

1. Free food provided for staff at HO as well as in the field - Food distributed to over 400 individuals at 108 HQ in Bengaluru and above 350 food boxes to the field associates at hospitals (afternoon and night).

2. All safety measures carried out to protect the organisation's associates attending the cases - Cases are assigned to ambulances only based on confirmation by the ERCP medical team on call from the 108 Head Office. If any symptoms related to COVID-19 are found, cases are then assigned to COVID-19 special duty ambulances only. Normal cases will be shifted by regular 108 ambulances.

3. PPE kits, gloves, face mask, sanitizers provided to the staff at regular intervals - Safety measures like PPE Kits, hand gloves, face masks, hand sanitizers, and hand wash are provided on regular basis to every staff working for the 108 ambulance service.

4. Additional incentives allotted for the associates of COVID-19 ambulance staff - Special incentives have been paid to the associates (EMT’s & PILOT’S) working on COVID-19 special duty ambulances.

5. Ambulances allotted for COVID-19 special duty - Over 30 ambulances have been allotted for COVID-19 special duty, of which 27 ambulances (108) are operating in Bengaluru and three in Mangaluru.

6. Field and support staff working 24/7 and on holidays - Every staff including the 108 call centre, management at the Head Office and ambulance associates in the field are working around the clock 24/7 ever since the beginning of the pandemic in the country.