Bhubaneswar: Expanding Odisha’s emergency healthcare network, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday launched 250 new ambulances at Kalinga Stadium, marking the second phase of the state’s ambitious ambulance augmentation programme aimed at ensuring faster medical response and saving more lives.
With the latest addition, the state government has arranged 428 new ambulances to strengthen pre-hospital emergency care across urban and rural areas. The first phase of the rollout, which began on December 23, 2025, had seen 150 ambulances deployed. The Rs 111-crore initiative, fully funded by the state, seeks to significantly reduce response time and improve access to emergency medical services, particularly in remote and underserved regions.
Odisha currently operates a fleet of 866 emergency ambulances, providing critical transportation support to patients across the state. This network is further reinforced by around 500 ‘Janani Express’ ambulances dedicated to pregnant women and sick children, playing a crucial role in ensuring timely institutional care and reducing maternal and infant health risks.
Highlighting the government’s focus on last-mile healthcare delivery, the Chief Minister said efforts are underway to ensure 24×7 ambulance connectivity from all blocks to District Headquarters Hospitals and SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. He also announced the expansion of ambulance services to airstrips at Rourkela and Jeypore under the state’s flight scheme to enable rapid evacuation of critically ill patients.
As part of advanced emergency preparedness, five Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances have been positioned at airports across Odisha, while two more ALS units are operating at the Cancer Hospital in Jharsuguda to provide specialised support to oncology patients. On an average, over 5,000 patients are transported daily to government hospitals through the state-run ambulance services, underlining their growing importance in public healthcare.
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