PRIVATE CLINICS, AMBULANCES, NGOs, BIG BAZAR & MORE ROPED IN TO PROVIDE DOORSTEP SERVICE
CHANDIGARH, MARCH 29 (SHIV NARAYAN JANGRA) : To provide emergency medical and routine services at the doorstep of residents during the COVID-19 lockdown, the Punjab Police has launched a Police Emergency Services App (PESA) as a pilot project, to be extended across the state soon.
More than 1000 persons benefitted on the first day of the launch of the app in Sangrur district. The app is available on Google Play Store and has been downloaded by over 700 users overnight, with delivery of services already started, according to DGP Dinkar Gupta.The department has tied up with private clinics & ambulances, as well as NGOs, to meet medical emergencies other than Corona, through the app, which also provides for Veterinary Doctor, Plumber, Electrician, LPG gas cylinder, among other services. The list of services is exhaustive and is being constantly reviewed as per user feedback, said the DGP.
A dedicated Emergency Control Room with five phone numbers has been set up under the supervision of field officers to manage the App services, available 24X7. All the Routine services are being delivered to the consumer at his home and the consumer can pay directly to the delivery person.
The PESA application can be downloaded from Google Play Store by using link https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pesa.user OR from website by using link https://pesappindia.com. The link and QR code to download this app are also available on district Police website (www.sangrurpolice.in). In just a day, more than 150 persons, including a premature born baby, have been facilitated urgent medical help by tying up with private clinics. The app has also helped provide food packets to poor and daily wage earners. The department has tied up with private players like Big Bazaar and More to offer 40 essential items, including Flour, Pulses, Sugar, Jaggery, Tea, Butter, Ghee, Toothpaste, Soap and other groceries.
According to the DGP, about 35 calls for electricity faults such geysers, refrigerator repair and plumbing problems were received and immediately taken care of. Various calls were received for LPG cylinders, including from some who could afford to pay for the cylinder.Responding with agility, the police gave curfew passes to more than 300 people who were left stranded at various places. Immediate action also was taken on calls regarding curfew violations were received. Issues of movement of animal/poultry feed were also resolved besides providing Veterinary services to the needy.
Explaining the working of the App, a police spokesperson said the user, after downloading the application, is required to provide name, mobile number and address. The system automatically picks up the user’s location for delivery, and also shares notifications regarding delivery, change in items or quantity, or any other updates about curfew etc. The App also provides the option of online pre-payment, so that problems like cash crunch and cash handling are addressed.
The Admin dashboard compiles area/location wise delivery lists to be effected the next day, with the Delivery App forwarding to the delivery person the list of citizens to whom delivery has to be made. The status of delivery can be checked with the click of a button. The app has the provision of directly connecting the citizens to suppliers such as Big Bazaar, More, and even kariyana associations, who can directly send delivery boys as per the demand.
