Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami today launched the extended Animal Medical Mobile Ambulance (AMMA) services at the Secretariat here. The AMMA service was launched by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 2016.
Initially Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Kanchipuram, Namakkal and Madurai districts were given two ambulances each.
In a move to further extend these services, 22 new ambulances at a cost of Rs 2.40 crore were launched today by Palaniswami. He was briefed about the various facilities in the ambulance by Animal Husbandry Minister Udumalai Radhakrishan.
Apart from emergency medicines, the ambulance is equipped with ultrasound scanner, generator, hydraulic lift facility to transport cows either in standing or lying condition.
The ambulance team will comprise of a driver, a veterinary doctor and a helper.
The already existing toll free number 1962 can be contacted to avail the ambulance services. The call centre is functioning from Madhavaram.
Those who are rearing cattles can contact this number for any sort of medical emergency to the animals. They have to provide the details such as their name, address, contact number and the problems the cattle is facing.
The customer care executives will give advice based on the problem and in case of emergency, an ambulance from the district will be deputed.
Officials further said these ambulances will also be used during the pregnancy period of the cows.
The development has come a day after Palaniswami held a consultative meeting on setting up a state-of-the-art livestock park in Thalaivasal, Salem. The facility, which will be the largest in Asia, will be established in 900 acres in Thalaivasal Kootu Road. It will encompass technologies and practices of animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries sectors.