Toll-Free Helpline (115) Goes Live in Maharashtra for Doorstep Emergency Medical Service

Pune, August 25, 2023: In a significant stride towards enhancing healthcare accessibility, the Maharashtra Public Health Department has unveiled plans to introduce a toll-free helpline catering to doorstep medical emergencies. The initiative, which is currently pending approval from the state cabinet, aims to revolutionize the healthcare landscape in the region.

Tanaji Sawant, the Health Minister of Maharashtra, confirmed the development, highlighting that the proposed toll-free number, 115, will serve as a vital lifeline for citizens facing medical crises. Under this scheme, qualified medical practitioners will be dispatched to provide prompt medical assistance, ensuring that urgent healthcare needs are met effectively. The helpline is poised to be particularly advantageous for vulnerable demographics such as senior citizens, elderly individuals living alone, and patients necessitating immediate attention during critical moments.

Presently, the state grapples with a dearth of dedicated services or helplines tailored to address medical emergencies at one’s doorstep. The forthcoming helpline seeks to bridge this gap, aspiring to render comprehensive emergency medical services within a commendable timeframe of 20 minutes post-receiving a distress call.

Notably, this visionary initiative extends its reach to the tribal pockets of Maharashtra, where connectivity hurdles, especially pronounced during the monsoon season, often exacerbate challenges in accessing medical aid. To tackle this issue head-on, the Health Department plans to forge a collaborative partnership with the Forest Department. This strategic alliance aims to harness the specialized network of the latter to facilitate swift medical responses in tribal hinterlands. Tanaji Sawant articulated the roadmap, revealing plans to establish a dedicated helpline tailored specifically for the tribal segments of the state. To actualize this ambition, the Health Department will invest in bolstering the Forest Department’s network infrastructure, ensuring seamless communication channels.

The Health Minister underscored the manifold benefits that the helpline will bring to the fore. It will be a crucial resource in a spectrum of medical emergencies, encompassing situations like snake bites, cardiac arrests, and childbirth. The significance of this initiative is particularly pronounced in the tribal belts of the state, where rapid medical intervention can be pivotal.

As Maharashtra takes strides towards instituting this pioneering healthcare initiative, its potential to make a substantial positive impact on the lives of citizens, especially those dwelling in remote and underserved areas, remains undeniable.