TEHRAN (Tasnim) � Iran�s health minister said his ministry has formulated plans to improve Emergency Medical Service across the country.





Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi said good measures have been taken to boost EMS performance on roads and improve response time at the scenes of accidents.

Though the Health Ministry has leased 19 copters from the Army, at least 45 choppers are required to cover the entire country, the minister added, pointing to plans for the purchase of 30 helicopters from foreign countries.

There are efforts to reduce the response time for emergency calls to 14 minutes, he added.

According to the minister, 2,000 new ambulances have been added to the country�s EMS fleet to improve its medical services.

Every year, the beginning of new Iranian year�s holidays in March causes traffic in the country�s roads, impeding speedy Emergency Medical Service.

The new Iranian year will start on March 20, but many people begin their trips a few days earlier.

By Tasnim News Agency