Center for Health Market Innovations (CHMI)

Is a unique partnership between Punjab Police and consortium of 25 NGOs providing ambulance and first aid services on all major highways in Punjab with an objective to bring down the rate of accident deaths in the State of Punjab.
Punjab Police Apex Committee for Community Policing and First Aid is an initiative involving community in policing and providing support to accident victims on all major highways operating 108 trauma vans in collaboration with Punjab Police. On receipt of information about accident through number 100 – Police helpline, communication is passed on to these ambulances and they are pressed into action. Apart from ambulances first aid posts are located at various locations to provide immediate first aid to the accident victims.
This innovative initiative was driven by Director General of Police is Chief Patron of the committee and former Director Health Services, Additional DGP is Chairman, Inspector General of Police is Vice chairman, 25 NGOs are voluntarily associated to form a consortium and perfect coordination is created between police and NGOs for this life saving activity. One social worker from each of 23 police stations in Punjab has been nominated as member of committee.
In year 2009 more than 8300 accident victims were shifted from accident site to hospitals, the NGOs work on creating awareness about safe driving, State of Punjab having more highways there is increase in accidents due to widening of highways resulting in the increase in average speed. It was observed that every year there were 2600 deaths due to road accidents, the number of such accidents have come down recently. The first aid posts helped in getting 4,651 injured persons admitted to hospitals, out of which 71 deaths were reported.
This initiative where in voluntary association is a unique partnership for social cause, and doesn’t involve any financial transactions between partners. The expenses incurred are borne by NGOs.