Add Tribune As Your Trusted Source
TrendingVideosIndia
Opinions | CommentEditorialsThe MiddleLetters to the EditorReflections
UPSC | Exam ScheduleExam Mentor
State | Himachal PradeshPunjabJammu & KashmirHaryanaChhattisgarhMadhya PradeshRajasthanUttarakhandUttar Pradesh
City | ChandigarhAmritsarJalandharLudhianaDelhiPatialaBathindaShaharnama
World | ChinaUnited StatesPakistan
Diaspora
Features | The Tribune ScienceTime CapsuleSpectrumIn-DepthTravelFood
Business | My MoneyAutoZone
News Columns | Straight DriveCanada CallingLondon LetterKashmir AngleJammu JournalInside the CapitalHimachal CallingHill ViewBenchmark
Don't Miss
Advertisement

SC asks Centre to respond to plea seeking adequate life support facilities in ambulances

The petitioners submitted that they realised the inadequacy of emergency facilities in ambulances when Dr P Venugopal himself succumbed on the way to the hospital emergency room, due to the abysmal lack of emergency life support facilities in the ambulance, being consequently being deprived of oxygen
Photo for representational purpose only. File photo

Unlock Exclusive Insights with The Tribune Premium

Take your experience further with Premium access. Thought-provoking Opinions, Expert Analysis, In-depth Insights and other Member Only Benefits
Yearly Premium ₹999 ₹349/Year
Yearly Premium $49 $24.99/Year
Advertisement

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to respond to a petition seeking directions to put in place a framework to ensure adequate life support facilities in ambulances at all times.

Advertisement

"Issue notice, returnable in four weeks," a Bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai said in its October 10 order as it agreed to hear the petition filed by Saiansha Panangipalli and Priya Sarkar.

Advertisement

Panangipalli is the daughter of eminent cardio-thoracic surgeon and former AIIMS Director Dr P Venugopal while Sarkar is his wife.

The petitioners have also sought directions to the respondents to establish an independent committee to conduct a review of current actual status of the operation, maintenance and regulation of road ambulances to identify the gap between the ground reality and the existing standard operating procedures.

"The petitioners realised the woeful inadequacy of emergency facilities in ambulances when Dr P Venugopal himself succumbed on the way to the hospital emergency room, due to the abysmal lack of emergency life support facilities in the ambulance, being consequently being deprived of oxygen," the petitioners submitted.

Advertisement

It has sought directions to authorities concerned to "enact and implement a framework to ensure adequate life support facilities are maintained in ambulances at all times, which facilities should include a list of necessary equipment, supplies and emergency medication".

Besides other prayers, the plea has sought directions to the authorities to establish or continue with a telephone or online helpline facility for the public to report complaints pertaining to inadequate or improper facilities in ambulances or overcharging, rash-driving, delay in arrival or reporting of other discrepancies.

Noting that lack of adequate emergency resources in ambulances across India was a huge concern owing to the absence of enforceable regulation, they said many lives, which could have been saved, were lost unnecessarily because ambulances were unable to supplement emergency services at hospitals, in terms of the lack of necessary life-saving facilities.

The 16th common review mission report of the ministry of health and family welfare under the National Health Mission had noted the inadequacies and mismanagement in ambulances of all states, the petitioners said, adding the report highlighted various infirmities in operation of ambulances in India and provided a detailed state-wise analysis on the condition of road ambulances.

In December 2023, the NITI Aayog had released two comprehensive reports which highlighted the spectrum and load of emergency cases and brought out the prevailing gaps in ambulance services, health infrastructure, human resources and equipment in the provision of optimal care, they said.

The plea said the reports of NITI Aayog identifies the gaps in the operation of road ambulances in India and specifically, highlights issues, including that 90 percent ambulances were being run without proper equipment and basic facilities such as oxygen.

Even though some states prescribe pre-conditions for registration of ambulances, there was no mechanism to either monitor or enforce this requirement once the vehicle was registered, the petitioners submitted.

Advertisement
Tags :
#AmbulanceEquipment#AmbulanceSafety#EmergencyMedicalCare#IndianHealthcare#LifeSupportInAmbulances#OxygenInAmbulances#RoadAmbulancesEmergencyMedicalServicesHealthcareRegulationSupremeCourt
Show comments
Advertisement