The State government has introduced an ambulance service for domestic animals to provide emergency treatment, in Bellary, Gulbarga, Raichur, Koppal and Yadgir districts.
Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar inaugurated the free ambulance service here on Wednesday. He said the service would be introduced in other districts in a phased manner.
Mr. Shettar said the ambulance service would be available from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on all days. It would operate in 26 taluks, including Bellary, Sirguppa, Sandur, Hospet, Hagaribommanalli, Hadagali, Kudligi, Koppal, Gangavati, Yelburga, Kustagi, Raichur, Manvi, Deodurga, Lingsugur, Sindhanur, Gulbarga, Sedam, Jewargi, Chittapur, Aland, Chincholi, Afzalpur, Yadgir, Surpur and Shahpur. The government had earmarked Rs. 12 crore for the project.The ambulance would have facilities such as a doctor and paramedical staff.
He said that for the first few days, the farmers can avail themselves of the service by calling the toll free number 108. Later, an exclusive toll-free number would be provided.
Animal Husbandry Minister Revu Naik Belamagi said the government had, initially, planned to introduce the ambulance service for the domestic animals in 84 taluks at a cost of Rs. 20 crore. However, due to shortage of veterinary doctors and paramedical staff, the scheme could not take off.
In the first phase, the ambulance service has been introduced in 26 taluks in Gulbarga division, and the service would be extended to all the districts shortly.
