IMA Pune Advocates for Expansion of 108 Ambulance Services Across All Hospitals

Pune Doctors Advocate for Expansion of 108 Ambulance Network

Call to Include Private Hospitals

Doctors from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Pune Chapter have appealed to authorities for the expansion of the state-run 108 ambulance service to encompass all private hospitals, particularly for inter-facility transfers. This request comes in light of the Public Health Department’s recent initiative to extend the service to private hospitals participating in the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY).

Support from Various Medical Associations

The Hospital Board of India and other medical associations have backed IMA’s position. IMA representatives contend that restricting the emergency ambulance service to only empanelled institutions may compromise its primary goal of providing timely medical assistance. They highlighted that most patients initially turn to smaller and mid-level private hospitals that are not part of any government insurance scheme. As a result, these facilities cannot utilize the 108 ambulance service, leaving many patients without essential emergency transportation.

Concerns Over Emergency Response

Dr. Sunil Ingale, president of the IMA Pune Chapter, expressed his concerns in a statement to Medical Dialogues. He stated, “Providing ambulance service to take patients to government-approved hospitals is not enough. Most patients visit any nearby hospital for medical help in emergencies. They do not always have the opportunity to be transported to selected hospitals. Sometimes, treating doctors transfer emergency cases to better tertiary care facilities. Despite the critical condition of a patient, they may not be able to access the 108 ambulance service, and this is not justified.”

Critical Perspectives from Medical Leaders

Dr. Sanjay Patil, national secretary of the Hospital Board of India, also commented on the situation. He said, “Golden hours while saving a patient’s life cannot be wasted because of a bureaucratic technicality. Even in critical emergency cases, when private hospitals request the 108 service, it is denied. How can they transfer the patient? Free ambulance service is every patient’s right. If you designate a service for critical care or emergencies, how can one access healthcare services?”