Bangalore: Doc on the Move - Now Dial 104 for Instant Medical Assistance

Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Jun 16: Police - 100, fire - 101, ambulance - 102 - these are emergency contact numbers throughout India. Now, a new number will be added to the list - 104 - for medical assistance, which the government will introduce very soon.

The 104 - HIHL (Health Information Helpline) is likely to be introduced within the next two months.

104 is a tollfree number. People from even remote places of the state can call this number to get free medical assistance from a healthcare staff. If the case is serious, the staff will contact specialists or surgeons and provide appropriate guidance to the patient.

That's not alll. Mental illness, suicidal tendencies, or any other personal problem can also be discuss with the staff who will provide relevant information and possible solutions to the problems. The staff will also assist in further medical treatment if needed, along with providing information pertaining to any blood bank and pharmacies close to the patient's residence.

If they receive any information related to air-borne and water-borne diseases in a particular area, the health department officials will take necessary steps to eradicate these diseases, and also guide the residents of the area to take appropriate measures.

In the intial stage, 100 calls will be attended to per day, which will be later increased to 300 calls per day, said Suresh Kumar, minster for law and parlimentary affairs. The helpline will be set up at a cost of Rs 16 crore, he said.

A special feature of this helpline is that, if a person calls this number from a mobile phone seeking information on any minor health problem, a medical prescription will be sent to the number from which the person has made the call, along with more information on the health problem and possible solutions.