Bangladesh government has officially launched the 999 emergency helpline after a year in the testing phase. Police, fire service and ambulance services will be available from any phone (mobile or fixed line) dialling the number. The project was inaugurated on Tuesday (Dec 12) by Prime Minister's Adviser on ICT Affairs Sajeeb Wazed Joy.
Joy also inspected the call centre after unveiling the National Emergency Services 999 Centre at the Metropolitan Police Crime Command and Control Centre at Dhaka's Abdul Gani Road.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak and Public Security Division Secretary Mostafa Kamal Uddin were all present at the event chaired by Inspector General of Police AKM Shahidul Hoque.
The entire service will be supervised by Bangladesh Police and the 999 number will be completely free from toll.
Bangladesh's ICT Division in October last year launched the experimental phase of the National Emergency Service when it handled some 3.3 million calls.
- Source: Agencies
