Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala health department plans to launch an online ambulance-hailing service on the model of app-based taxi services such as Uber.

If a proposal by Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited is implemented, people in distress or their companions could call up an ambulance on an app on their mobile phones. The nearest available ambulance would be rushed to the spot while the registration number of the ambulance and the phone number of the driver are sent to the caller’s phone.

The sophisticated ambulance-hailing service is one of the three proposals put forward by the corporation. The plan also seeks to improve the existing 108 ambulance service and to bring in private entrepreneurs to the sector.

The online ambulance service will be based on a cutting edge call center which will coordinate the activities.

The corporation has proposed to buy more ambulances with funds available under the National Rural Health Mission. The corporation would be in charge of overseeing the project.

The government plans to rope in private partners to operate the ambulances. The agencies would be paid by the government for the maintenance work of the vehicles.

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