KSRTC to introduce bus ambulances in all divisions
The KSRTC will step up safety measures to bring down the death rate in accidents by introducing bus ambulances equipped with emergency medical facilities in its 16 divisions.
Transport Minister H M Revanna on Friday formally inducted the first ambulance bus into the Bengaluru central division. The ambulance, named Accident Mass Rescue Wagon, can treat eight critically injured and 16 others with minor injuries on the spot. It is equipped with medical systems, including defibrillators, ECG/pulse Oxymetry Monitors, oxygen and suction pipes and communication systems for video conferencing with the control room.
“In the coming days, major depots of all the divisions of the KSRTC will have one such ambulance. The service will be extended to the divisions of the remaining road transport corporations (NEKRTC and NWKRTC),” he said.
The bus ambulance is the outcome of a memorandum of understanding with the Golden Hour Trust for procuring first aid kits for the buses. The Trust has given 400 kits free of cost while the of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will procure more in the coming days.
Neurosurgeon Dr Venkataramana N K said the Trust will work with the KSRTC to bring down the number of deaths in accidents involving KSRTC buses. “Immediate treatment in the golden hour can avoid 50% of deaths in accidents,” he said.
KSRTC Managing Director S R Umashankar said the number of accidents in the KSRTC has come down in the recent years. “Unfortunately, the number of deaths has remained in the range of 300-350. The KSRTC will have four training schools where its personnel will learn about providing essential treatment in golden hour,” he said.
The Corporation awarded silver medal to 82 drivers who have not caused any accident or violated any rules for five years.
