The capital is all set to modernise its Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS) control room and emergency response communication system on a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) basis. Sources said the new technology proposed for Delhi is based on the Gujarat emergency medical response system.
The Delhi Health department on June 25 invited an Expression of Interest (EOI) for a ?systems integrator?, which will include an automated system for receiving calls and distributing them, a GIS-based computer-aided dispatch system and an automated vehicle with tracking and locating mechanism.
Health department officials said an upgrade of the system had been on the cards since last year after the ambulance fleet in the city was increased to 152. Tenders had been floated for the purchase of more Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) vehicles.
?We are trying to integrate the ambulance control room software with an application software in the vehicles and on handheld devices for ground staff. We have studied models of emergency response systems ? which operate on a PPP basis ? in several states, including Gujarat and Maharashtra,as well as several international systems. We tried to conceptualise the best possible system here,? a senior Health department official said.
According to the Delhi government?s EOI, the private party will set up a control room, build a high-end communications software for fleet management, and provide the IT infrastructure.
This will include a call location identification system, a GIS- or GPS-based location of ambulances on video call at control room, and integration of ambulances a locating and tracking software.
The new system will also provide an audio visual alarm on ambulances to alert staff about assignments, provide a GIS-based automated route information ? for details about time taken to reach a spot, transporting a patient, overspeeding and the time when the engine is on idle mode.
Between 2007 and 2010, the Gujarat government had converted its ?108? phone number EMS system to an ?emergency operation centre? and an information and communication system for disasters. The model was conceptualised after the Bhuj earthquake and is considered to be one of the most advanced systems in the country. It is also among the few control rooms that operate on PPP basis.
?There have been reports about CATS ambulances being used to transport files or ferry doctors, resulting in delay in responding to calls. We are trying to build a communication system that will help us monitor our vehicles,? the official said.
According to the EOI, the Delhi government will provide the physical infrastructure for the control room and an electricity connection, with all other networking, software and hardware systems to be set up by the private partners. The private partner will also have to train CATS staff on the new system. Private parties can respond to this EOI by July 25, after which shortlisted bidders will be issued a Request For Proposal (RFP) enlisting technical requirements and terms of the PPP.