On the special instructions of CM Punjab, free Patient Transfer Service was initiated. The service was initiated in collaboration with Rescue 1122. The Service has so far rescued millions of victims of road traffic crashes, medical emergencies and disasters while maintaining an average response time of 7 minutes and standards in all Districts & Tehsils of Punjab. The Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) was initially started as an Emergency Ambulance Service on 14th October 2004 as a pilot project from Lahore. After the success of this pilot project, Emergency Ambulance Service was established in 12 major cities of Punjab and subsequently in all Districts of the Punjab province with a population of over 80 million. In spite of the fact that Rescue & Fire Services were also established subsequently, over 97% emergency calls are still related to Emergency Ambulance Service. The main beneficiaries of this Service have been the victims of road traffic accidents whom earlier people were afraid to help due to medico-legal reasons.
It was for the first time that emergency medical technicians were trained for this emergency ambulance service and emergency ambulances of international standards were manufactured in Pakistan. This training and indigenous fabrication of ambulances made the project cost effective and sustainable resulting in success of Rescue 1122. As most of the beneficiaries of this Service include young bread-winners of the society hence it has had a favorable socio-economic impact.
Salient Features
Enlisted below are some prime salient features of the same:
- Free of cost
- 24/7 at service
- Very quick response time
- Safe and sound patient transfer from one hospital to other
- Prevent travel difficulties and avoid expense
- Trained and efficient staff
- Proper first Aid-kit available