More ambulances needed to meet growing population, say docs

Bengaluru needs more ambulances to meet the growing population, doctors in the city opine.

On World Ambulance Day, doctors said that though people have become aware of how to handle emergencies over the last couple of years, more needs to be done.

"I still see people gathering around an accident spot and clicking pictures instead of calling emergency services. Many of them still do not know the helpline number," said Dr Sudarshan Ballal, chairman, Manipal Hospitals.

The hospital receives at least 20 emergency cases a day.

Dr Ballal also said that many a time motorists do not make way for ambulances. They need to be sensitised. The ambulance should be considered sacred at such times, he said.

According to doctors, ambulances should also be equipped with emergency services such as a ventilator, oxygen cylinders, mini ICU, bluetooth connectivity with the command centre of the hospital among others, as well as paramedics who can provide first aid.

Speaking about his experience as an ambulance driver, Nagaraj G said, "One cannot succumb to stress while driving under pressure with a patient in the back. It is important to keep calm while driving in a city like ours with heavy traffic. We try to drive as quickly as we can but with utmost care to ensure the patient reaches the hospital safely."

He added that he is happy that he has taken patients to hospitals safely many times.

Dr Bevin D'silva, head and senior consultant, Department of Emergency Medicine, Sakra World Hospital said, "Ambulance drivers' job is thankless. They often face the wrath of patient's relatives."

Subhash, who is the assistant manager (operations) of a hospital, which includes the ambulance service, said what matters the most are facilities given during the golden hour and the ability of the ambulance drivers to get the patients to the hospital on time.