North Cyprus Inform

Dial 112 in crisis

Emergency medical treatment can now be summoned anywhere in the TRNC by dialling 112, following extensive paramedic training and reorganisation. A new coordinated response service based in Lefkosa will deploy the nearest ambulance to wherever it is needed. Dr Kenan Arifoglu, president of the Turkish Medical Council, said: "We now have 12 new, fully-equipped frontline ambulances... and a substantial back-up fleet. Each ambulance has a round-the-clock, fully-trained paramedic crew standing by." Terry Carter, who has been at the forefront of training and planning for the new service, acknowledged the progress, but said vital equipment was still lacking, such as replacement defibrillators for emergency heart treatment, or neck collars and head immobilisers for use at the scene of car accidents. "We all hope that we will be able to acquire these so the North Cyprus 112 service will be on a par with any other European country in terms of saving lives at the point of crisis," he said.