Part 9: Emergency & Ambulance Services — 108 & 102

In a medical emergency, every minute counts. Odisha has a robust, free ambulance system that can get you to a hospital quickly. Here is everything you need to know.

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1. The 108 Ambulance Service (Free)

• Number: Dial 108 from any phone (landline or mobile).
• Cost: Completely free. No charges for the ambulance ride.
• Available: 24/7, 365 days.
• Response Time: Typically 15-25 minutes in urban Bhubaneswar.
• Equipped with: Basic Life Support (BLS), oxygen cylinder, first-aid kit, stretcher. Some ambulances have Advanced Life Support (ALS) with defibrillators.
• Use for: Heart attacks, strokes, accidents, severe injuries, unconsciousness, severe breathing difficulty, poisoning.

2. The 102 Ambulance Service (Free — Maternal & Child)

• Number: Dial 102 from any phone.
• Cost: Completely free.
• Purpose: Specifically for pregnant women (to and from the hospital for delivery) and sick newborns/infants.
• Use for: Labour pains, pregnancy complications, neonatal emergencies.

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3. Emergency Departments in Bhubaneswar

Hospital	Emergency Type	Cost	Distance from Niladri Vihar
AIIMS Bhubaneswar	Level-1 Trauma Centre	Free (emergency care)	~12 km
Capital Hospital	24/7 Casualty	Free	~8 km
KIMS Hospital	24/7 Emergency	BSKY Cashless / Paid	~5 km
Kalinga Hospital	24/7 Emergency	BSKY Cashless / Paid	~4 km
SUM Hospital	24/7 Trauma & Emergency	BSKY Cashless / Paid	~6 km

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4. What to Do in an Emergency

Step 1: Call 108

Give your exact location (use Google Maps if needed). Tell them the nature of the emergency.

Step 2: First Aid

While waiting for the ambulance:

• Heart attack: Make the person sit down, loosen clothing, give aspirin if available.
• Stroke: Note the time symptoms started. Do NOT give food or water.
• Bleeding: Apply firm pressure with a clean cloth.
• Unconscious: Place in the recovery position (on their side).

Step 3: Arrive at Hospital

The 108 ambulance will take you to the nearest appropriate hospital. In Bhubaneswar, this is usually AIIMS, Capital Hospital, or the nearest BSKY-empanelled private hospital.

Step 4: Treatment Begins

• Government hospital: Emergency treatment is free. No registration or payment is needed upfront.
• Private hospital (with BSKY): Show your card. Treatment is cashless.
• Private hospital (without BSKY): Treatment begins immediately (MLC cases are never refused). Payment is discussed later.

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5. Odisha Police Helpline

If the emergency involves a road accident or crime:

• Dial 112 (Unified Emergency Helpline — connects to Police, Fire, and Ambulance).

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Next: Part 10 — Specialist & Super-Specialty Care for Free