FAISALABAD: Punjab law minister Rana Sanaullah inaugurated on Monday the Rescue 1122 motorcycle ambulance service in the city.

The launching ceremony held at the Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Auditorium was also attended by Rescue 1122 Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer and Mayor Abdul Razzaq Malik.

The service, that has already been launched in Lahore, comprises 100 bike-mounted officials who have been trained in providing first aid to the citizens in need, especially in congested city areas where streets are narrow. Their response time is claimed to be five minutes only.

On the occasion, Rana Sanaullah said the service was part of the Punjab government’s healthcare initiatives.

He said so far some 900 motorbikes had been provided to the Rescue 1122 for launch of the ambulance service in the nine divisions of the province in the first phase.

He said the service would be expanded to other districts of the province as well very soon.

He said recruitment of the staff for the service had been made purely on merit, while master-trainers were trained in Turkey. The next batch of master trainers would also visit Turkey soon, he added.

He said the chief minister had also announced risk allowance for the rescuers, besides their salaries. He said like in Lahore, the Punjab Safe City Project would also be made functional in Faisalabad after completion of its building.

Dr Rizwan Naseer said the motorbikes were equipped with first aid and burns kit, automated external defibrillator, glucose meter, pulse oximeter, portable oxygen cylinders, life-saving medicines, blood pressure monitor and bandages to deal with any emergency situation.

He said the service’s response time was in accordance with the international standards.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2018