(a) the necessary steps taken/ being taken by the Government to meet the shortage of ambulance services in the country especially in rural areas;
(b) whether the Government has received data in this regard from the state governments where difficulties are being faced due to non-availability of ambulance service; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)
(a) to (c) “Public Health and Hospitals” is a State subject, the primary responsibility of strengthening public healthcare system, including efforts to have required number of ambulances especially in rural areas lies with the respective State/UT Governments.
However, under National Health Mission (NHM), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides the technical and financial technical to the States/UTs as per the proposals submitted by them in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) based on the requirements, including the provision for Dial 108, Dial 102/104, Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advance Life Support (ALS) ambulances, and the approvals are accorded as Record of Proceedings (RoP) to States/UTs.
Dial 108 is predominantly an emergency response system, primarily designed to attend to patients of critical care, trauma and accident victims etc. Dial 102 services essentially consist of basic patient transport aimed to cater the needs of pregnant women and children, though other categories are also taking benefit and are not excluded. Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK) entitlements e.g. free transfer from home to facility, inter facility transfer in case of referral and drop back for mother and children are the key focus of 102 service.
An ALS is supported for an average population of 5 Lakh and a BLS Ambulance is supported for over one lakh population. States are at liberty to propose the number of ambulances as per the norm to fill the gap. Total of 27,810 vehicles (which includes 12,053 ambulances under 108 Dial, 10,633 ambulances under 102 Dial and 5,124 Other patients transport vehicle) are supported in various States/ UTs as reported by States/ UTs (as on 30.09.2021).