Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur launched a mobile app for availing immediate and easy access to ambulances in the state.

The app named '108 HP' can be downloaded on any smartphone.

"The app will make the access to the National Ambulance Service (NAS) much faster and does not require sharing of information such as name and location. Himachal has become the first state in India to launch any such app," claimed Singh.

He also flagged off five ambulances from Ridge Maidan.

The new ambulances under 108- National Ambulance Service would be serving at health centres of Jalog and Rampur in Shimla District, Chatari in Mandi District, Gagret in Una District and Bharari in Bilaspur District.

"With this, the number of 108 ambulances which was just 50 in 2010 has increased to 199 and there is one ambulance for every 34,000 population and considering the tough topography of the state, this service has proved a boon for the people in the state," said Singh.

The Health Minister said the state government was spending Rs 1 lakh per day on the ambulance services and till now 7.50 lakh emergency cases had been facilitated.

Besides, 102 Janani Express providing free services to pregnant women from home to hospital and back home after delivery was being provided and so far 82,000 women had benefited, he added.

During the programme, Singh also distributed cheques of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of deceased in the 108 National Ambulance Service accidents.