Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
Residents of Udham Singh Nagar district are raising concerns over the insufficient number of 108 emergency ambulances in the area, calling it inadequate to meet the growing demand. Local activist Sanjay Kumar Arya highlighted the disparity in ambulance distribution, comparing the district to smaller regions. “Districts like Champawat and Bageshwar, with populations of just 2.5 lakh, each have 10 ambulances, whereas Udham Singh Nagar, with a population of over 21 lakh, has only 25 ambulances,” said Arya.
In Udham Singh Nagar, each ambulance serves around 85,000 people, while in the hilly areas of Champawat and Bageshwar, the ratio is one ambulance for every 25,000 people. Due to this imbalance, many patients in need of emergency care are unable to access services in a timely manner.
According to official data from the 108 emergency service, the ambulances in Udham Singh Nagar handle around 60 to 65 cases daily. These cases mostly involve accidents, transporting pregnant women, and other medical emergencies. On average, each ambulance covers a distance of 7,500 to 8,500 kilometers per month, handling multiple cases daily.
The district currently operates only three Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances, equipped with ventilators. These ambulances are stationed in Kashipur, Rudrapur, and Khatima, while the remaining 22 ambulances are equipped with basic life support systems.
Dr KK Agarwal, Prime Medical Superintendent (PMS) at the JL Nehru District Hospital, said, “The OPD at the district hospital receives between 1,000 and 1,300 patients daily. In such a scenario, the ambulances remain occupied, and an emergency vehicle should be available round the clock at the hospital,” he said. He also mentioned that the issue has been raised with the 108 ambulance management.
Dr Manoj Sharma, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), said, “Currently, 25 ambulances are operational in the district. If the hospital management raises a demand for more, a request will be sent to the headquarters to increase the number.”
However, Navneet Kumar, the Incharge of the 108 Ambulance Service, argued that ambulances are deployed based on distance rather than population. “Ambulances are placed strategically so that no area is more than 20 minutes away from service. Where there is more population, two ambulances are deployed,” he said. He also maintained, “There is no shortage of ambulances in the district.”
