Director of Health Services, Health and Family Welfare Department

1. Revolutionizing Healthcare: 108 Emergency Ambulance Service and Medical Services Corporation

From 2009 to 2013, I had the privilege of serving in various leadership roles, including Director of Health Services, Director of Family Welfare, and Managing Director of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). During this period, we laid the foundation for a healthcare transformation in the state, spearheaded by two pioneering initiatives: the 108 Emergency Ambulance Service and the establishment of the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation (CGMSC).

Healthcare accessibility, particularly in rural areas, was a significant challenge. Prior to 2009, the absence of an organized emergency response system meant that patients in remote regions faced substantial barriers in accessing timely medical care during emergencies. This lack of infrastructure led to preventable morbidity and mortality, especially among marginalized communities. Recognizing this critical gap, I led efforts to establish the 108 Emergency Ambulance Service—a dedicated helpline that could be dialed free of cost, connecting individuals in distress with a fleet of ambulances equipped with essential medical facilities.

The launch of the 108 Emergency Ambulance Service marked a paradigm shift in emergency healthcare delivery. For the first time, every citizen of Chhattisgarh, irrespective of their geographic location, gained access to life-saving emergency medical care. The service was designed not only to transport patients to healthcare facilities but also to deliver essential pre-hospital interventions. Each ambulance was staffed with trained paramedics capable of administering critical first aid and stabilizing patients during transit. This comprehensive level of emergency care, previously unavailable to rural residents, significantly improved healthcare outcomes and saved countless lives.

A critical factor in the success of this initiative was minimizing response times. We established a robust call center with well-trained operators to handle emergency calls efficiently, and ambulances were strategically stationed at key locations across the state to ensure rapid dispatch and reduced travel time. We established a robust call center, and ambulances were strategically deployed across the state to guarantee rapid dispatch and reduced travel time. The 108 service became an emblem of hope, substantially enhancing public trust in the healthcare system. Additionally, it played a vital role in increasing the utilization of government hospitals, as patients who previously lacked access to healthcare facilities were now able to receive timely medical attention.

Equally transformative was the establishment of the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation (CGMSC). Modeled after the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC), which was known for its efficiency and transparency in procurement processes, CGMSC sought to streamline the procurement and distribution of essential medicines, medical equipment, and supplies statewide. Before the inception of CGMSC, procurement processes were fragmented and inefficient, resulting in frequent shortages and supply chain delays. These deficiencies directly compromised patient care, particularly in rural healthcare facilities that often ran out of critical supplies

Under my leadership, CGMSC centralized procurement processes to mitigate these issues. By leveraging economies of scale and ensuring transparency in procurement, we achieved significant cost reductions while ensuring consistent availability of essential medicines across healthcare facilities. Additionally, CGMSC implemented stringent quality control measures to guarantee that only high-quality medicines reached hospitals and health centers. This not only improved the quality of care but also fostered trust among healthcare providers and patients in the public health infrastructure

The impact of CGMSC was both immediate and transformative. Healthcare facilities, including those in the most remote areas, began receiving timely deliveries of essential medicines and equipment, addressing a longstanding gap in healthcare delivery. This consistency meant that patients no longer had to travel long distances or incur substantial expenses to procure essential medicines. The availability of medicines at government hospitals reduced out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, thereby making healthcare more affordable and accessible for all

Reflecting on these initiatives, I feel deeply gratified by the strides we have made in revolutionizing healthcare in Chhattisgarh. The 108 Emergency Ambulance Service brought critical medical intervention directly to the doorsteps of those in need, while the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation ensured that healthcare facilities were equipped to deliver quality care consistently. Together, these initiatives strengthened healthcare infrastructure, enhanced health outcomes, and ensured that essential services were accessible to everyone, regardless of geographic or socio-economic barriers