New Delhi – In a significant move towards enhancing emergency medical services, the Supreme Court has formally requested the Central government and other relevant authorities to respond to a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning the state of life support facilities in ambulances nationwide. The petition calls for the implementation of a robust framework to ensure that all ambulances are consistently equipped with essential life support systems.
The apex court’s decision to hear the plea signals a critical examination of current ambulance operations. The petition also seeks the establishment of an independent committee tasked with assessing the ground reality of ambulance services, including their operational status, maintenance protocols, and regulatory oversight. This review aims to pinpoint any discrepancies between existing standard operating procedures and their actual implementation on the ground.
A bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran issued the notice, returnable within four weeks, on October 10th. The plea specifically names the Central government, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways as respondents.
The petitioners, Saiansha Panangipalli and Priya Sarkar, represented by senior advocate Percival Billimoria and advocate Jasmine Damkewala, were motivated to file the petition following a personal tragedy. They highlighted the critical inadequacy of emergency facilities in ambulances, citing the case of Dr. P. Venugopal, a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and former AIIMS director, who tragically passed away en route to the hospital due to a severe lack of oxygen and emergency life support in the ambulance.
The petitioners emphasize that their intention is not to engage in adversarial proceedings but to address a widespread concern. They have found that the deficiency in essential emergency resources within ambulances across India is a significant issue, exacerbated by the absence of effective regulatory mechanisms.
The plea further states that numerous lives, which could have been saved, are lost due to ambulances lacking the necessary life-saving equipment to provide critical support during transit, thus failing to complement hospital emergency services.
Supporting their claims, the petition references the 16th common review mission report under the National Health Mission, which had previously flagged inadequacies and mismanagement in state-run ambulances. The report detailed various operational shortcomings and offered a state-wise analysis of road ambulance conditions.
Additionally, the plea points to two comprehensive reports released by NITI Aayog in December 2023. These reports shed light on the scale of emergency cases and identified critical gaps in ambulance services, health infrastructure, personnel, and equipment necessary for optimal patient care.
Specifically, the NITI Aayog reports indicate that a staggering 90% of ambulances operate without proper equipment and basic facilities like oxygen. The petition argues that such deficiencies significantly increase the risk of premature death during transit or hinder a full recovery, thereby infringing upon the fundamental right to life.
The plea also notes that while some states have registration prerequisites for ambulances, there is a notable lack of monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to ensure these standards are maintained post-registration.
Consequently, the petitioners are urging the authorities to formulate and implement a clear framework that guarantees adequate life support facilities in all ambulances at all times. This framework should include a specified list of essential equipment, medical supplies, and emergency medications.
Beyond these core demands, the plea also seeks the establishment or continuation of a public helpline, accessible via telephone or online, for citizens to report grievances related to ambulance services, including inadequate facilities, overcharging, reckless driving, delays in arrival, and other discrepancies.