GVK's Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) which has introduced free emergency ambulances like 108 and 104 has proved effective in reducing maternal mortality rate (MMR) and infant mortality rates (IMR) across different states in the country.
GVK's EMRI services meant for attending the healthcare emergencies in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttarkhand and Assam and elsewhere in India has proved vital in substantially reducing the IMR and MMR in the country.
In Andhra Pradesh, where the GVK EMRI services were launched in 2005, it has helped 13 per cent reduction in MMR. While in Tamil Nadu where the service started in 2008, it has reduced the MMR from 85 to 79 per 100,000 live births; similarly the infant mortality rate has also come down from 35 to 22 per 1,000 live births in the state.
Similarly, In Gujarat where the service has been active since 2007, it has helped bring down the MMR figures by 15 per cent.
Of late, keeping in mind the specialised needs of pregnant ladies and infants, GVK EMRI has also launched specialized vehicles to transport them. Under the Janani Shishu Surakshan Yojana in Andhra Pradesh, Khilkhilahat in Gujarat, Khushion Ki Sawari in Uttarakhand, Adarani in Assam scheme, GVK.
EMRI has introduced sterilised vehicles which are completely equipped and insulated to avoid external factors such as hazardous gases, materials and shifts mothers and infants in a safe and secured environment. Besides this, the vehicle also carries a counsellor who educates mother on infant care and provides them with leaflets, hand outs during the journey.
At present as India is striving hard to reduce its MMR to meet the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDG), helping in its endeavor GVK EMRI has been playing a significant role in reducing the MMR and IMR healthcare indicators across India. Central government along with various state governments have reduced MMR by promoting institutional delivery and also launched various schemes that have had a significant impact. In spite of this, India is still having a high MMR of 170 deaths per 100,000 live births against the MDG mandated target of 103 deaths per live births to be achieved by 2015.
Since its inception in 2005, the GVK EMRI service has helped transport more than 25 million patients to medical facilities out of which more than 8 million (30 per cent) have been pregnancy related cases. Dr. GVK Reddy, chairman and managing director GVK, says, “The timely intervention has helped reduce the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) significantly in India. GVK is committed to healthcare and nation building. GVK EMRI is one of our most significant social initiatives saving lives and assisting government to meet its important social goals.”