Andhra Pradesh launches Thalli Bidda Express maternal ambulance services

Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav has launched 102 advanced ‘Thalli Bidda Express’ ambulance services in the Palnadu district. These vehicles are specifically designed to provide maternal and child healthcare, transporting pregnant women to government hospitals for delivery and returning both mother and infant home afterward.

The government plans to induct a total of 500 new 102 ambulances statewide, with 300 units in the first phase and 200 more expected within two months. These upgraded vehicles include modern amenities such as air conditioning, six airbags, GPS tracking, and SOS buttons. To promote women’s empowerment, the state is considering a proposal to appoint female drivers for these services.

This initiative is part of an integrated healthcare strategy linking the 102 maternal care service, the 108 emergency response fleet, and the 104 mobile medical units. The 104 service provides diagnostic tests and treatment at the village level, while the 108 fleet is being expanded to 733 vehicles, including 170 Advanced Life Support units, to improve medical response times across urban and rural regions.