NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will shortly put in place the ‘National Ambulance Code’ to rationalise the ambulance specifications in India and to ensure quality pre-inter-hospital transfer of patients.
A committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Dr Shakti K Gupta, HoD, Hospital Administration of AIIMS (New Delhi). The ministry is also in the process of formulation of a ‘National Emergency Medical Services Network’ by interlinking all the existing and new ambulances under a centralised toll free number.
The matter is being actively pursued with other related ministries as well. The ministry has committed to provide 140 advance life support ambulances to identified trauma care centres being developed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along the national highways.
It is planning to impart the first-aid training in spinal and head injury cases to drivers, toll booth operators and volunteers from nearby villages along the national highways. It is also organising seminars and workshops involving the state governments, all stakeholders, academicians and planners in order to raise the level of awareness on road safety issues and to work in a systematic manner to curb the rising trend of road accidents and fatalities.