Mumbai: Citizens, especially the ones in the rural areas of the state can now dial 104 to avail emergency services. Due to the unavailability of doctors in primary health centres and sub-district hospitals, patients are known to have suffered on various occasions. To counter this, the state government’s health department on Wednesday introduced 104 as the emergency health help line.
If the people find that medical officers are not present on duty in a hospital during emergency situations, the relatives of the patient can lodge a complaint using 104.
Talking about the initiative to The Asian Age, the state health minister, Dr Deepak Sawant said, “The number is going to be helpful for not just a patient’s needs in emergency situations but will also help in reducing the agony of their family members.”
“If the medical officer is not present on duty, the patient’s relatives should report the same on the toll free number, 104 to register an alert, which will then by taken up by the concerned medical officers,” the minister added.
He further said, “If the concerned medical officer fails to be attend the emergency, stern action would be initiated against the medical officer.”
