The first phase of Maharashtra Government's much awaited emergency medical service (EMS) plan is expected to roll out in April, with active participation of Indian American doctors, who are working with authorities to develop US-style EMS and trauma care model for Mumbai.

"The first phase of the plan which will cover Mumbai, is expected to be launched in April," co-founder of American Association Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI) Navin Shah said. Shah, who recently met Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, health secretary Desiraju and Maharashtra chief secretary Jayant Kumar Banthia, said mortality rates in accident injuries would come down by around 30 per cent once the EMS and trauma care plan is operationalised.

The plan is aimed at offering assistance to accident victims and other critical patients in the "golden hour", the time during which prompt intervention can save a patient's life. The plan would enable medical professionals to provide aid to the injured within the golden hour.

The EMS has been functional in states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Uttarakand, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

"We have amalgamated services and expertise of 24 Mumbai hospitals, including Hinduja, Bombay Hospital, Lilavati, Nanavati, Hiranandani, Wockhardt and Bhatia hospitals, besides government run J J, KEM and Sion hospitals," Shah said.