108, 104 emergency services to continue

HYDERABAD: The popular 108 and 104 ambulance services run by the Emergency Medical and Research Institute (EMRI) and Health Management and Research Institute (HMRI) funded by B Ramalinga Raju will continue to render their services despite the developments in Satyam.Ramalinga Raju has resigned as chairman of the both EMRI and HMRI, but wanted the services of both the organisations to continue.Speaking to ENS, EMRI CEO Venkat said that though he had not received any official communication from Ramalinga Raju on his resignation from the EMRI, Raju wanted both the EMRI and HMRI services to continue. ``He spoke to me yesterday and said the unfortunate developments in Satyam should not hamper the good work being done at HMRI and EMRI,’’EMRI CEO remarked.Meanwhile, at an emergency review meeting Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy felt that both 108 and 104 services should continue without any hindrance despite the recent developments in Satyam.The Chief Minister inquired with Venkat and HMRI CEO Balaji whether they had any problem in continuing the services following the Satyam developments.Venkat told the Chief Minister that they would continue the services for another three months without any problem. ``We require about Rs 100 crore to add 500 more ambulances. Since the State Government will be funding 95 per cent of it, all we require is about Rs 5 core and some more funds for the managerial expenditure,’’ he said and added that he would not foresee any problem.The Chief Minister, reportedly assured both EMRI and HMRI that the State Government would come to the rescue in case of any financial need. In case of emergency, the State Government may buy the five percent of the stake and asked the HMRI and EMRI to continue the work. Rajasekhara Reddy said both 108 and 104 services were very dear to his heart.The 108 is operating through 652 ambulances making about 500 emergency trips a day, will now be increased to 6000 trips a day, the Chief Minister said.On the State Government completely taking over EMRI and HMRI, a senior official remarked, “If the State Government takes over the entire project, it will become like any other Government department. Hence, it wants the private company to run the show for rendering services efficiently.’’