108 (emergency telephone number)

2021-07-01T13:48:16Z

89.12.27.236: revert

{{Use Indian English|date=December 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
[[File:108 emergency.JPG|thumb|'''108 emergency''', the free-to-call [[emergency telephone number]] for medical, police, and fire services in [[India]]<ref name=EPW>{{Cite web|url=https://EPW.in/engage/article/108-services-are-plagued-complacency-and|title=108 in crisis: complacency and compromise undermine emergency services' potential|website=EPW.in|publisher=EPW Engage (Economic and Political Weekly) – Yodasoft Technologies Pvt. Ltd.|date=23 June 2018|access-date=31 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=TNHSP/>]]
'''Dial-108''', or '''one-zero-eight''' is a free [[telephone]] number for [[emergency]] services in [[India]]. It is currently operational in 18 states ([[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Assam]], [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Goa]], [[Gujarat]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Meghalaya]], [[Odisha]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[Telangana]], [[Uttarakhand]] and [[Uttar Pradesh]]) and two Union Territories ([[Dadra & Nagar Haveli]] and [[Daman & Diu]]). The 108 Emergency Response Service is a free emergency service providing integrated medical, police and fire emergency services. This system was introduced nationwide by former Union Health Minister, [[Anbumani Ramadoss|Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/anbumani-ramadoss-40-minister-of-health---family-welfare/463829/|title=Anbumani Ramadoss, 40 Minister of Health & Family Welfare|work=The Indian Express|date=21 May 2009}}</ref> In Madhya Pradesh, the 108 GVK Ambulance facility was implemented in July 2009 by Honorable Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan. It was inaugurated by Health Minister Mr. Narottam Mishra. The service is a public-private partnership between state governments and private EMS providers. This 108 service was rolled out initially by Ramalinga Raju and his family on August 2005. It was initially a private funded initiative , but later signed MOUs with multiple state governments from August 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-07-04|title=Calling 108: How One Institution Pioneered Emergency Medical Services in India|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/187773/gvk-emri-108-ambulance-emergency-healthcare-service-india/|access-date=2021-04-22|website=The Better India|language=en-US}}</ref> Dr.Y.S Rajashekar Reddy, who was the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, was the first Chief Minister to sign an agreement with EMRI to roll out the services in the state of Andhra Pradesh on 15 August 2007. Few days later Chief minister Narendra Modi launched these services in Gujarat on 29 August 2007.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=AhmedabadAugust 29|first1=Indo-Asian News Service|last2=August 29|first2=2008UPDATED|last3=Ist|first3=2008 20:54|title=150,000 emergencies handled by 'dial 108' in Gujarat|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/latest-headlines/story/150000-emergencies-handled-by-dial-108-in-gujarat-29063-2008-08-29|access-date=2021-04-22|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> With the life-saving service becoming so popular in the rural parts of combined Andhra Pradesh, the (108) system was later introduced by the Central government of India in other parts of India. The system was originally designed by Satyam Infotech. {{As of|November 2014}}, this service had handled over 540,000 emergency cases in India. On an iOS device, "Hey Siri, 108" command to Siri will place an emergency call.

[[File:108 Ambulance.jpg|thumb|[[Force Traveller]] as 108 ambulance of [[Jharkhand]]]]
[[File:The 108 Ambulance.jpg|thumb|[[Mercedes-Benz TN#Force Motors Traveller in India|Force Motors Traveller]] based 108 ambulance of [[Tamil Nadu]]]]

==History==
108 is the tollfree number for an initiative called emergency management and research institute. It was launched by [[Ramalinga Raju|Satyam Ramalingaraju]] and family in 2005 in Hyderabad. The existing independent emergency services (100 for police, 101 for fire and 102 for ambulance) worked erratically and independently of each other. Ramalingaraju wanted to integrate these services and launched 108 to provide quicker response for the emergencies. Apart from Ramalingaraju , [[G. V. Krishna Reddy|G Venkata Krishna Reddy]] was the major contributer for implementing these services . When Satyam was facing financial problem in April 2008 and unable to fund the project, the former director of the Andhra Pradesh Handicapped Department, Dr. A.P. Ranga Rao,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://MedicalReporterToday.com/dr-ap-ranga-rao-the-man-who-gave-108-ambulance-services-passed-away|title=Dr. AP Ranga Rao – the man who gave 108 ambulance services passed away|website=MedicalReporterToday.com|publisher=Medical Reporters Today|date=16 April 2018|accessdate=31 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.TheHindu.com/news/national/telangana/dr-ap-ranga-rao-dead/article23550409.ece|title=Dr. A.P. Ranga Rao dead|location=Telangana|website=[[The Hindu]]|date=15 April 2018|accessdate=31 August 2020}}</ref> and the late Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Dr. [[Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy]] have agreed to extend the support from the government of Andhra Pradesh to the project. EMRI has subsequently made similar kind of deal with other states nationwide.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jishnu|first=Latha|date=2009-08-08|title=The 108 business plan|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/the-108-business-plan-109080800006_1.html|access-date=2021-04-12}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|last=TwoCircles.net|date=2009-05-27|title=G.V.K. Reddy to help EMRI, brainchild of Satyam Raju|url=http://twocircles.net/2009may27/g_v_k_reddy_help_emri_brainchild_satyam_raju.html|access-date=2021-04-19|website=TwoCircles.net|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Kanth|first=B. Krishna Mohan & K. Rajani|date=2009-01-18|title=Govt may take over EMRI's Dial 108 ambulance services|work=Business Standard India|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/govt-may-take-over-emri-s-dial-108-ambulance-services-109011801012_1.html|access-date=2021-04-19}}</ref>The previously existing 102 emergency service is now being used explicitly for pregnancy related emergencies.

==Scope==
The Dial-108 service is available in the Indian states of [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Assam]], [[Chhattisgarh]], [[Goa]], [[Gujarat]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Haryana]], [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Meghalaya]], [[Odisha]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Tamil Nadu]],<ref name=TNHSP>{{cite web|url=http://www.TNHSP.org/108-emergency-ambulance-services|title='108' Emergency Ambulance Services|website=TNHSP.org|location=[[Tamil Nadu]]|publisher=Tamil Nadu Health Systems Projects|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023195954/http://www.tnhsp.org/108-emergency-ambulance-services|archive-date=23 October 2019|accessdate=31 August 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.TheHindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/article343543.ece|title=Call '108' and save a life|location=Tamil Nadu|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=31 March 2009|accessdate=31 August 2020}}</ref> [[Telangana]], [[Uttarakhand]], [[Sikkim]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://NeNow.in/health/emergency-medical-response-services-108-102-launched-west-sikkim.html|title=Emergency medical response services of 108 and 102 launched in West Sikkim|website=NeNow.in|publisher=Northeast Now|date=14 January 2019|access-date=31 August 2020}}</ref> [[Jharkhand]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.NewsBharati.com/Encyc/2017/11/16/ambulance-service.html|title=108 ambulance service started in Jharkhand; to reach within 25 minutes in urban areas|website=www.NewsBharati.com|publisher=NewsBharati – Bharati Web Pvt. Ltd.|date=16 November 2017|access-date=31 August 2020}}</ref> and [[Uttar Pradesh]], and two [[Union territory|union territories]]; [[Puducherry (union territory)|Puducherry]], [[Daman and Diu]], and [[Chandigarh]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://PIB.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=176243|title=Ambulance Under NRHM|website=PIB.gov.in|publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]], [[Government of India]]|date=2018-02-06|access-date=9 December 2019|archive-date=9 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209091700/https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx%3Frelid%3D176243|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==How it works==
When an [[emergency]] is reported, the call taker at the Emergency Response Centre (ERC) gathers the needed information, including location, and dispatches appropriate [[emergency service]]s; be that an ambulance, police assistance, or a fire engine.<ref name=TNHSP/>

Emergency help dispatched through this process is expected to reach the location of the emergency in an average of 18 minutes. Pre-hospital care will be given to patients during transit to hospital. Patients are transported in [[ambulance]]s well equipped to handle emergency situations. Road and water ambulances are the two types of ambulances commonly used in India to transport patients. Road ambulances are used across all its states. However, only a few states, namely Odisha, Assam, and Gujarat, along with two Union Territories, have been using [[boat ambulance]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.NDTV.com/india-news/108-boat-ambulance-service-launched-in-gujarat-to-treat-fishermen-at-high-sea-1856614|title='108' boat ambulance service launched to treat fishermen at high sea|website=www.NDTV.com|publisher=NDTV Convergence Limited|date=24 May 2018|access-date=31 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.EMRI.in/boat-ambulance-3|title=Boat Ambulance|website=www.EMRI.in|publisher=[[GVK EMRI|GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute]] (GVK EMRI)|access-date=31 August 2020}}</ref> Odisha was the first state to launch the boat ambulance by [[Ziqitza Healthcare Limited]] (ZHL) for remote areas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://TimesOfIndia.IndiaTimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Odisha-first-state-to-have-boat-ambulances-for-remote-areas/articleshow/49347344.cms|title=Odisha first state to have boat ambulances for remote areas|website=[[The Times of India]]|date=14 October 2015|access-date=31 August 2020}}</ref>

At present, there are only three providers: [[GVK EMRI|GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute]] (GVK EMRI),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.EMRI.in/|title=Emergency Management and Research Institute {{!}} GVK EMRI|website=www.EMRI.in|publisher=[[GVK EMRI|GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute]] (GVK EMRI)|access-date=31 August 2020}}</ref> [[Ziqitza Healthcare Limited]] (ZHL), and [[Bharat Vikas Group India-UK Specialist Ambulance Services]] (BVG-UKSAS)<ref name=EPW/> who operate Dial-108 in Emergency in public private partnership with state governments. The service is normally free to patients.

In Maharashtra, Jammu, Kashmir, Dial-108, and in JK in addition to Dial-108, [[102 (ambulance service)|Dial-102 ambulance services]] are being run by BVG India Ltd. Dial-102 service is for pregnant women and child. BVG India Ltd chairman and MD is Mr. Hanmantrao Gaikwad. And EMS CEO is Dr. Dnyaneshwar Shelke. In Maharashtra, Dial-108 is launched by state government form 2014, this is free service by the Government and is being operated by BVG India Ltd. It was also operating this service in Andhra Pradesh. In Madhya Pradesh BVG India also operating Dial-100 police helpline of the state government.

==Siri prank==
In March 2017, the Dial-108 emergency telephone number became the subject of a prank, in which victims would be told to say 108 to [[Siri]], which would in turn command it to dial the respective country's emergency services.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://amp.USAtoday.com/amp/99584178|title=Police warn about Siri '108' prank|last=Molina|first=Brett|date=24 March 2017|website=amp.USAtoday.com|publisher=[[USA Today]] – Gannett|url-status=live|access-date=31 August 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Government of India]]
*[[102 (ambulance service)]] – Free Ambulance Service, an emergency medical transport service in India.

== Other emergency numbers in India ==

* Women Helpline: 1091
* Women Helpline for Domestic Abuse: 181
* Air Ambulance: 9540161344
* Aids Helpline: 1097
* Anti Poison New Delhi: 1066 or 011-1066
* Disaster Management: 011-26701728-1078
* EARTHQUAKE / FLOOD / DISASTER N.D.R.F: 011-24-363-260
* Missing Child And Women: 1094
* Railway Enquiry: 139
* Senior Citizen Helpline: 1091 or 1291
* Railway Accident Emergency Service: 1072
* Road Accident Emergency Service: 1073
* Road Accident Emergency Service On National Highway For Private Operators: 1033
* ORBO Centre, AIIMS (For Donation Of Organ) Delhi: 1060
* Call Centre: 1551
* Relief Commissioner For Natural Calamities: 1070
* Children In Difficult Situation: 1098
* Central Vigilance Commission: 1964
* Tourist Helpline: 1363 or 1800111363
* LPG Leak Helpline: 1906<ref>{{Cite web|orig-date=February 26, 2019|date=March 25, 2019|title=List of emergency numbers in India|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/list-of-emergency-numbers-in-india-1464566-2019-02-26|access-date=2020-11-27|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{cite web|url=http://www.TNHSP.org/files/EMRI.pdf|title=On Your Mark – '108' Emergency Ambulance Services|website=TNHSP.org|location=[[Tamil Nadu]]|publisher=Tamil Nadu Health Systems Projects|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401110348/http://www.tnhsp.org/files/EMRI.pdf|archive-date=1 April 2017|accessdate=1 September 2020|url-status=dead}}
*[http://VMEDO.com VMEDO Emergency Ambulance Services App]
*[http://IndianHelpline.com Indian Helpline]

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[[Category:Emergency telephone numbers]]
[[Category:Emergency medical services in India]]
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108 (emergency telephone number)