Karnataka government to take over 108 emergency services by February 2026
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department is set to take full control of the 108 ambulance services by February 2026, with plans to conduct tests to recruit Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) deployed in the ambulances, Deccan Herald reported on Tuesday.
The EMTs, who accompany patients during transit, play a crucial role in providing first-aid and emergency care before hospitalisation. “This is to test their capability, it is important that these technicians are able to provide the necessary services under pressure,” DH quoted Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao as saying.
Rao added that this was the first time in the country such an initiative was being implemented and assured that there would be no compromise in the delivery of emergency medical services.
To strengthen the fleet, the department will procure 175 new ambulances through the Road Safety Authority. The new vehicles are expected to replace older ones, many of which were procured in 2018 and have reported frequent breakdowns.
The upgraded ambulances will be equipped with Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs), a tablet device that assist technicians and drivers in locating patients and the nearest hospitals. The MDTs will also integrate the service with e-Sanjeevini, the national telemedicine platform, allowing doctors to guide EMTs in real time and enabling hospitals to prepare for incoming patients.
“To bring in more efficiency, the ambulance nearby will be allocated to the patient and immediately be taken to the nearest hospital. Currently, we have geo-tagged all the government hospitals in the software, we are awaiting details from Karnataka Private Medical Establishment to geo-tag private hospitals as well,” DH quoted Dr Prabhudev Gowda, Deputy Director, Emergency Management and Research Institute, as saying.
A pilot project of the system in Chamarajanagar district has reportedly shown encouraging results. “We are able to dispatch ambulances without any glitches or delays,” Gowda added.
For fleet management, the department plans to appoint separate agencies in each district to outsource ambulance drivers and ensure transparency.
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Belagavi youth’s murder case projected as road accident, cracked in Uttara Kannada; Three arrested
Karwar: Uttara Kannada police have cracked a murder case in which a Belagavi youth was killed and his body burnt inside a car to make it appear like a road accident.
Addressing a press meet in the city, Superintendent of Police Deepan M.N. said three accused from Old Hubballi have been arrested in connection with the case. The crime was a pre-planned act driven by personal enmity, he said.
The case came to light on April 8 morning when a car (KA-04/MJ-8996) was found completely burnt in a roadside ditch near Talekumbri bus stand in Yellapur. Only charred human remains were found inside the vehicle. Initially, it was suspected to be an accident caused by overspeeding, and a case was registered at Yellapur police station based on a complaint filed by the deceased’s father, Jagannath Dhapale.
However, the father later expressed suspicion that his son’s death was not accidental, prompting a detailed investigation.
Taking the matter seriously, two special teams were formed under the leadership of Yellapur Inspector Ramesh Hanapur. On analysing technical evidence and CCTV footage, police found that it was a planned murder.
The accused have been identified as Abdul Raheem Basheer Ahmed Mujawar (32), Maulasab Bavahan Wada (36) and Dadapeer alias Aftab Mehboob Saab Balasangi (22), all chicken traders from Old Hubballi.
Police have seized the car used in the crime along with two scooters. The accused have been remanded to judicial custody.
Investigations revealed that the accused killed Nitesh Dhapale due to personal enmity and later set the car on fire along with the body to project it as an accident.
SP Deepan M.N. appreciated the efforts of Inspector Ramesh Hanapur, PSIs Rajashekhar Vandali and Siddappa Gudi, and the entire team for solving the complex case.
