‘Farishte’ Scheme saving precious lives on roads in Punjab
Hospitals across Punjab registered under the Farishte scheme
Punjab E News: The word “Farishte” (angels) brings to mind individuals who save lives. For the people of Punjab, the “Farishte” are the state government and its new initiative, which has already saved many lives.
To enhance road safety and emergency care services, the Punjab Police’s Traffic and Road Safety Wing, in collaboration with the State Health Agency (SHA) and Map My India, has made hospital information available through the Maple app. This initiative provides seamless navigation assistance, helping people quickly locate and reach registered hospitals, especially during road accidents.
The “Farishte” scheme was launched to reduce fatalities caused by road accidents and provide prompt, hassle-free treatment at government and registered private hospitals.
So far, 384 hospitals have been successfully registered under the scheme, including 238 private and 146 government hospitals. These hospitals can now be accessed through the Maple app, aiding in the timely transport of accident victims to hospitals, improving the chances of saving lives.
Individuals who assist in taking accident victims to hospitals are exempt from legal complications and police questioning, and they are rewarded with cash prizes and certificates of appreciation. The scheme also recognizes such individuals as “Farishte” and awards them Rs 2,000 for their assistance.
The ambulances flagged off by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann are equipped with the latest medical equipment. A total of 325 ambulances are part of the fleet, capable of reaching urban areas within 15 minutes and rural areas within 20 minutes.
These GPS-enabled ambulances are saving lives by transporting patients to healthcare centers in emergencies. They are stocked with life-saving drugs and state-of-the-art equipment. This year alone, over 100,000 patients have been safely transported, including 10,737 heart patients and 28,540 pregnant women.