TNI Bureau: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi flagged off 250 new ambulances at Kalinga Stadium, marking the second phase of the state’s emergency medical service expansion.

With this launch, the state government has completed the rollout of 428 new ambulances, including 150 vehicles flagged off earlier on December 23. The government has invested around ₹111 crore from its own funds for this initiative.

At present, Odisha operates 866 emergency ambulances across the state, along with 500 special ‘Janani Express’ ambulances dedicated to pregnant women and sick newborns. These services collectively transport more than 5,000 patients daily to government hospitals.

The Chief Minister said the government’s priority is to reduce mortality by ensuring faster access to hospitals. He announced continuous ambulance services from every block to district headquarters hospitals and from district hospitals to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. He also stated that ambulances would be stationed at airstrips under the state’s aviation scheme, including at Rourkela and Jeypore.

Currently, five Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances are deployed at major airports in the state, and two ALS ambulances are stationed at the cancer hospital in Jharsuguda.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling, Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, Health Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Ashwathy S., and National Health Mission Director Dr Brunda D. were present at the event.