Lucknow, June 7 : The army's Central Command Friday launched a unique 24x7 medical helpline for its personnel, their families, ex-servicemen and the public.

The Surya Medical Helpline is a toll-free number and will render expert first aid and life saving advice on a multitude of medical emergencies, including accident injuries, burn injuries, chest pain and seizures among others.

The patient and/or their kin can explain the symptoms or injury over the phone and can also send an MMS or photos of the patients' clinical condition directly to a specialist's mobile phone.

Expert doctors will advice the patient and his kin after examining the MMS and pictures.

The helpline number 1800 180 5558 and mobile number 8009833388 can be dialled directly and through multi-media message service (MMS).

It was launched by outgoing army commander of the Central Command, Lt. Gen. Anil Chait.

Initially started as a pilot project last month in Lucknow, the service has now been extended to all seven states of the Central Command.

"The objective of this pioneering initiative is to provide immediate professional and sound telephonic medical advice in life-threatening medical emergencies, rapid emergency response to prevent mortalities and to act as an interface between the patient and the doctor till his arrival in hospital," Lt. Gen. Chait said.(IANS)