After covering 2.2 crore people in 50 towns and saving 6,650 lives, EMRI (Emergency Management and Research Institute), promoted by Satyam Computer Services, is now poised to cover the whole of Andhra Pradesh by the end of May.

EMRI, with its flagship of 108 ambulance services, has emerged as a reliable agency, particularly in accident cases.

"The roll-out plan is aimed at reaching out to the rural areas. We will start off with Medak, Chittoor and East Godavari districts this month. Every month, we will be adding four districts till May to complete the whole of Andhra Pradesh," Mr Venkat Changavalli, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), EMRI, told Business Line.

The new thrust would mean adding 310 more ambulances taking the total number to 380. The number of staff working for the network also would go up to 1,500 from the present 900.

"We have signed an agreement with the State Government. The Government has agreed to provide the ambulances," he said.

`Effective network'

Also, the institute had entered into 842 private hospitals across the State for providing the medical attention for the first 24 hours (of admission). Later on, patients could decide whether to stay in that hospital or to join another.

"This is a case of perfect public-private partnership. All collectors, superintendents of police and hospitals are extending support to make the network effective," Mr Changavalli said.

The institute had already identified the locations for stationing the ambulances.

Mr Muralimohan, in-charge of EMRI's Marketing wing, said the call centre received 1.37 lakh calls everyday. The nature of calls ranged from emergency medical help to general queries.

"So far, we have received 3.6 million calls," he said.