Ambulance numbers mask critical care gaps in US Nagar

Rudrapur: On paper, Udham Singh Nagar's emergency ambulance network appears adequate. Official figures show a fleet of 25 ambulances operating under the 108 emergency service. But a closer look at the system on the ground points to serious gaps, especially in handling critical trauma and cardiac emergencies.Of the 25 ambulances under the 108 emergency service, only three are equipped with Advanced Life Support (ALS) facilities, while the remaining vehicles provide just Basic Life Support (BLS). Another 21 ambulances operate under the maternal and child transport scheme, Khushiyon Ki Sawari, but their role is limited and they cannot replace ALS units required for severe injuries or life-threatening conditions.The strain is most visible at the district hospital in Rudrapur. Just three ambulances – one ALS and two BLS – are stationed there, placing the city's entire emergency response on a small fleet. Patient data between April and Nov reflects the scale of demand. During this period, ambulances transported 13,980 patients to hospitals. These included 4,663 pregnancy-related cases, 1,482 road accident victims, 698 respiratory emergencies, 254 cardiac cases and 578 patients with acute abdominal pain.While the numbers highlight the heavy dependence on ambulance services, they also expose the shortage of advanced medical support during emergencies. The situation is compounded by problems with equipment. Several ambulances allegedly have non-functional monitors, ventilators and defibrillators. In some vehicles, air-conditioning systems are not working, while others lack oxygen cylinders or flow meters. There have also been complaints of empty first-aid boxes and missing medicines and bandages.As a result, patients with critical injuries or cardiac conditions are often referred to other facilities. In many cases, families are forced to arrange private ambulances or transport patients in personal vehicles, increasing risks during emergencies.Responding to the concerns, chief medical officer Dr KK Agarwal said the district was taking steps to strengthen the system. "Number of ALS ambulances is being increased, and work is underway on equipment maintenance and route mapping. A demand for new ambulances has been sent to the govt, and efforts are on to reduce response time in both urban and rural areas," he said.