Taskforce formed to develop in integrated information system for emergency services

A taskforce has been formed with the aim of creating an integrated information system capable of promptly relaying emergency texts sent by individuals through mobile or landline phones to a central information hub for swift response in providing emergency services.

Coordinated by Joint Secretary Bharat Mani Pandey at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the 11-member task force includes one representative each from key government ministries such as Home, Health and Population, Communications and Information Technology, Federal Affairs and General Administration, and from the Nepal Army and Armed Police Force while two members are from the Nepal Police.

Information and communications expert Bijay Gautam is also a member of the task force.

The system to be developed ahead will have a system to ensure ambulance, firefighting, police, and primary health facilities during emergency in an integrated way, according to the Ministry.

A meeting of stakeholders held on Monday in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, had given 15 days’ deadline to the taskforce to present concept paper and action plan regarding delivery of emergency services.

Nepal Police’s hotline number 100, fire engine’s 101, ambulance 102 and Traffic Police’s 103 are in use for emergency service.

With the launching of new service, all citizens would be able to report their problems in the central system using a single number.

The information received at the central information system would be forwarded to the concerned body immediately. Coordinator Pandey shared that activities have been forwarded to bring different equipment in use for the delivery of emergency services.