Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai flags off fleet including neonatal ‘moving ICUs’; response time set at 15 minutes in cities and 30 minutes in rural areas
TFP Bureau, Raipur, March 31, 2026: In a major push to strengthen emergency medical services, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday flagged off a fleet of 370 ambulances for deployment across all districts of Chhattisgarh, significantly expanding the state’s emergency response infrastructure.
The fleet includes 300 Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances and 70 Advanced Life Support (ALS) units, which will operate under the state’s 108 Ambulance Service network to ensure timely medical assistance during emergencies.
Marking a first-of-its-kind initiative in the state, the government also launched five specialised Neonatal ALS ambulances, designed as mobile intensive care units for critically ill newborns.
Faster Emergency Response
Addressing the gathering during the flag-off ceremony, the Chief Minister said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring accessible and prompt healthcare services for citizens in both urban and rural areas.
He emphasised that the expanded ambulance network will ensure that 108 ambulance services reach patients within 15 minutes in urban areas and within 30 minutes in rural regions, significantly improving the state’s emergency response system.
“The state government stands firmly with citizens during times of crisis. This initiative will ensure timely medical assistance and strengthen public confidence in the healthcare system,” Shri Sai said.
He added that over the past two years, the healthcare sector in Chhattisgarh has witnessed substantial improvements, including expansion of sub-health centres, primary health centres and community health centres. As a result, patients are increasingly receiving treatment closer to their homes, reducing the need to travel to distant cities for minor ailments.
Neonatal Ambulances Introduced
The introduction of the five Neonatal ALS ambulances marks a significant milestone in emergency newborn care. These specially designed vehicles will provide critical care during the transport of seriously ill newborns from smaller health facilities to higher medical centres.
The Chief Minister described the initiative as a crucial step toward safeguarding infant lives and strengthening the state’s neonatal care system.
Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal termed the launch a historic development for the healthcare sector, stating that the expanded ambulance network would benefit lakhs of people by ensuring swift and reliable emergency services.
He informed that Chhattisgarh has become the second state in the country to introduce neonatal ambulance services, highlighting the government’s focus on improving maternal and child healthcare.
‘Moving ICUs’ for Newborns
The Neonatal ALS ambulances are equipped with advanced medical technology and trained personnel, effectively functioning as “moving neonatal ICUs.”
Each unit is staffed with trained neonatal emergency technicians, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and pilots, supported by online guidance from specialist doctors. The ambulances are fitted with incubators, ventilators, defibrillators, syringe pumps, nebulisers, suction machines and adequate oxygen support.
They also carry 41 types of emergency medicines, enabling medical teams to provide immediate stabilisation and critical care to newborns during transit.
Advanced Equipment in BLS and ALS Units
The newly deployed BLS and ALS ambulances are equipped with modern medical devices to provide both primary and advanced care at the site of an emergency.
These include blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters, ECG monitors, glucometers, oxygen support systems and nebulisation facilities. For critically ill patients, ALS units also carry portable ventilators, defibrillator monitors, syringe pumps and laryngoscopes, ensuring safe transportation to hospitals while maintaining continuous medical support.
Monitoring System for Accountability
Health Minister Shri Jaiswal said the government has also put in place a dedicated monitoring system to ensure accountability and efficiency in ambulance services.
He assured that complaints regarding delays or deficiencies in emergency response would be addressed promptly, ensuring that citizens receive timely assistance when they need it most.
“With the expanded fleet and improved monitoring mechanisms, the state is strengthening its emergency healthcare infrastructure and moving towards faster, more reliable medical services,” he said.
Senior Officials Present
The flag-off ceremony was attended by several public representatives and senior officials, including MLAs Moti Lal Sahu and Indra Kumar Sahu, CGMSC Chairman Deepak Mhaskey, Health Secretary Amit Kataria, Director Health Services Sanjeev Jha, Managing Director National Health Mission Ranbir Sharma and Commissioner Medical Education Ritesh Agrawal, along with officials and staff of the Health Department.
With the rollout of the expanded ambulance fleet, Chhattisgarh aims to build a robust emergency healthcare network capable of delivering timely, accessible and life-saving medical assistance across both urban centres and remote rural regions of the state.
