108 ambulance service handles 6 lakh cases in 10 months in Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada: In a record of sorts, the 108 ambulance service operated by Bhavya Health Services has attended over 6.39 lakh emergency cases in just 10 months between June 2025 and March 2026, marking a major milestone in the state's efforts to strengthen pre-hospital care.Officials stated that the ambulance network played a vital role in saving lives in 9,183 cardiac emergency cases, ensuring patients received timely medical attention. The service also extended immediate care in 92,372 road accident cases and 40,450 other trauma incidents, underlining its importance in handling critical emergencies.In the maternal and child health segment, ambulances facilitated safe transport and emergency care for 87,320 pregnant women and 11,614 infants, contributing to improved healthcare access in both urban and remote regions.To enhance operational efficiency, the fleet has been upgraded with 190 new advanced ambulances, taking the total number of vehicles to 731. Each ambulance is equipped with advanced life support systems, including ventilators, defibrillators and oxygen supply, and is staffed by trained Emergency Medical Technicians.A 24/7 control room equipped with GPS tracking ensures real-time monitoring of ambulance movement, enabling faster response to distress calls. Additionally, under the state's telemedicine initiative, a team of 18 specialist doctors provides live guidance to onboard medical staff through CCTV and mobile data terminals, allowing treatment to begin even before patients reach hospitals.Of the total cases handled, 4,33,242 were direct emergency responses from incident locations, while 2,06,567 involved inter-facility transfers to higher-level hospitals.Officials further emphasised that the strengthened emergency response system reflects the govt's commitment to making quality healthcare accessible to every household. On the occasion, citizens have been urged to dial 108 in case of emergencies to avail themselves of the free service.