UK Health Minister Visits 108 Ambulance Control Centre at Technopark

January 14, 2013:  British Health Minister, Ms Anna Soubry MP today visited the 108 Control and Dispatch Center (CDC) at Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd (ZHL) in Technopark. The Minister was accompanied by Mr Nick Tomlinson, Deputy Director, EU & Global Affairs, Department of Health and Mr Mike Nithavrianakis, British Deputy High Commissioner, Chennai.

Ms. Soubry’s visit was to see first-hand a major emergency service and to support the London Ambulance Service’s partnership with emergency services in India. She was received by Ms. Sweta Mangal, CEO and Co-Founder, ZHL and Mr. Radheesh, Regional Head – South India, ZHL. At ZHL, she was taken through how the Ziqitza Healthcare operates 108 Emergency Response Service in Kerala. She was shown live in the CDC how 108 responds to emergency calls from patients and accident sites and how by using GPS & GPRS technology the CDC ensures timely response of 108 Ambulance service in Trivandrum and Alappuzha.

Ms Soubry said, “I am delighted to have visited Ziqitza’s Ambulance CDC in Trivandrum and to have seen first-hand the work that goes into offering a quality emergency service across to a large population. I am pleased to see the London Ambulance Service contribution to this effort and wish the partnership with Ziqitza every success.”

Ms Sweta Mangal, CEO and Co-Founder of the Ambulance Project said, “We are delighted to welcome the UK Health Minister Anna Soubry to our CDC in Trivandrum. We have been able to establish a successful ambulance network across India since our inception in 2002. Today Ziqitiza’s Ambulance network service is etching success stories in Kerala, Punjab, Maharashtra, Rajasthan Patna and Orissa. Considering that ZHL was founded based on extensive support offered by London Ambulance Service, it is a great opportunity for us to recognize the contribution of London Ambulance Service in the esteemed presence of Ms. Soubry. It is due to their continuous support and patronage that ZHL today is operating 860 ambulances across India and serve over 2 million people.”