News Desk: Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar has announced that all ambulances operating across the province will soon be brought under the control and command of MERC 1122 to establish an integrated emergency response system.
Speaking at a ceremony at the MERC 1122 headquarters in Quetta, where nine new advanced life support ambulances were inducted and an emergency response software was launched, Kakar said the initiative would improve emergency response and help save precious lives.
He said the government was modernising ambulance services to provide immediate medical assistance to victims of road accidents, particularly on highways, followed by their timely transfer to trauma centres and other healthcare facilities when required.
The minister said the initiative was being implemented in line with Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti’s vision of bringing major reforms to the health sector and ensuring that their benefits reached the public.
The newly launched digital response system will enable authorities to monitor ambulances across Balochistan in real time, including their location, availability and movement. It will also facilitate the dispatch of the nearest available ambulance to an emergency site.
Kakar said digitalisation was essential for improving healthcare delivery across Balochistan because of the province’s vast geographical area. The system would enhance transparency, monitoring, management and emergency response.
MERC 1122 Director General Zulfiqar Jatoi said the addition of modern ambulances and digital response software would significantly improve response times and ensure timely medical assistance to injured people.
Director General Health Services Balochistan Dr Muhammad Amin Mandokhail said the nine new ambulances were equipped with advanced life support facilities, adding that their inclusion would expand the emergency service network and improve the safe and timely transportation of accident victims.
He said MERC 1122 rescuers were providing services around the clock and had saved numerous lives through rapid response during emergencies.
Kakar praised MERC 1122 rescuers, health officials and field staff for their performance, describing the service as a model emergency response system in Balochistan.
He said the provincial government would continue expanding emergency services so that people in every part of Balochistan could receive timely first aid, emergency medical assistance and transportation to appropriate healthcare facilities.
