South Central Ambulance Service launches partnership to help India improve its public healthcare

AN AMBULANCE service is helping to support a programme to improve public healthcare in India.
By Millie Salkeld
Published 24th Jul 2020, 14:51 BST
Updated 24th Jul 2020, 17:49 BST
South Central Ambulance Service helps Aurobindo Pharma Foundation (APF), SCAS launch 108 Emergency Response Services (the equivalent of the UK’s 999 service) and 104 Mobile Medical Unit Services (the equivalent of the UK’s NHS 111 service) to serve the 66 million people living in Andhra PradeshSouth Central Ambulance Service helps Aurobindo Pharma Foundation (APF), SCAS launch 108 Emergency Response Services (the equivalent of the UK’s 999 service) and 104 Mobile Medical Unit Services (the equivalent of the UK’s NHS 111 service) to serve the 66 million people living in Andhra Pradesh
South Central Ambulance Service helps Aurobindo Pharma Foundation (APF), SCAS launch 108 Emergency Response Services (the equivalent of the UK’s 999 service) and 104 Mobile Medical Unit Services (the equivalent of the UK’s NHS 111 service) to serve the 66 million people living in Andhra Pradesh

South Central Ambulance Service has launched the 108 Emergency Response Services (the equivalent of the UK’s 999 service) and 104 Mobile Medical Unit Services (the equivalent of the UK’s NHS 111) to serve the 66 million people living in Andhra Pradesh as part of a partnership with not-for-profit consortium Aurobindo Pharma Foundation (APF).

The Indian government has started a programme to improve public healthcare and was inspired by the ‘free at point of contact’ NHS ambulance services available in the UK.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The initiative will also create 9,000 new jobs in the region.

Steve West, director of planning and performance forecasting at Scas, said: ‘This month’s launch has seen over 1,000 new ambulances going live, in addition to the existing 350 vehicles already in service.

Read More
PTSD therapist has seen increase in clients from emergency services since Covid-...

‘The partnership is a real opportunity to share our expert knowledge to help the rapid development of ambulance services and healthcare provision in India, and to make a real difference to so many people’s lives.’

Since the impact of Covid-19 over the last few months, ambulance staff have continued to provide virtual support to APF to continue the launch of new services.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The agreement between Scas and APF is due to run until 2027, with a plan being worked on to include clinical guidelines and governance, education, wider healthcare system development and a workforce development programme that will see staff from both APF and SCAS travelling to work and learn together in the two countries.

Scas would not reveal the financial arrangement of the partnership.

SEE ALSO: South Central Ambulance Service retains 'Good' rating but breach requirement for vehicle cleanliness and infection control

The partnership is supported by Healthcare UK, a joint initiative of the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and the Department for International Trade, to promote the NHS in overseas markets.

Dr Andrew Fleming, British deputy high commissioner to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, said: ‘I am really excited that this partnership between Aurobindo Pharma Foundation and South Central Ambulance Service is a new area for India and I am convinced that it is going to be a success.

‘I would like to congratulate Honourable Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy for his foresight in choosing this approach and a partnership with UK experts.’

Related topics:IndiaAmbulance serviceSouth Central Ambulance Service

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.