Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and is now one of the most developing cities in India with a population of more than 3 million people. As the city grows, the need for rescue services including ambulance services also experiences a rise. The ambulance service in Jaipur is very important since it has the responsibility of transporting patients who need to be taken to hospitals with urgent conditions.
There are both public and private ambulance services available in Jaipur. The principal government ambulance service is run by the Jaipur Municipal Corporation. There are also the state-government-operated ambulances known as the National Rural Health Mission. As to private ones, most hospitals have their own ambulance services, additionally including some private commercial ambulance services.
Meeting Increasing Demand
With an increase in the population of Jaipur, more and more people experience medical complications that require ambulances. Currently, the government ambulance service in Jaipur are strained and cannot cater to the increasing needs. As per the desired requirements, there must be at least 350-400 ambulances to meet the needs of the population of Jaipur city. However, the total number of existing government-operated ambulances in total is less than 150 – this contributes to the long time taken by an ambulance to reach a patient.
The deficit of demand and available supply is gradually being closed by private operators in the sector. From big hospital chains to start-ups, the private sector is ramping up emergency medical transport in the city.
Improving Coverage through Technology
Private ambulance services in Jaipur are increasing their geographical reach and response time through the use of technology. It enables them to use GPS tracking systems to locate the closest ambulance and dispatch it to a medical emergency.
Smart applications and dedicated call center facilities facilitate the bookings and planning in a jiffy. Some companies have committed themselves to enhancing central control centers which are fully automated and are designed for communication between different ambulance crews and patients or hospitals to ensure a quick response.
Recent Upgrades and Additions
To meet the growing demands of Jaipur’s rising population, recent efforts have been made to upgrade the city’s ambulance fleet:
- The GVK EMRI 108 service introduced 25 new ambulances in this year, 2019.
- Last year fifty bike ambulances were brought in use by GVK EMRI to reach difficult old city areas easily.
- The SMS Hospital which is one of the biggest government hospitals expanded its ambulance services.
Challenges for Ambulance Services
Although private ambulances are doing a great job in meeting the demand, there are some difficulties. The high cost of ALS-equipped ambulances hinders their procurement and provision. Another factor that hinders the response of ambulances is the congestion of traffic during rush hours.
There is a decreased coordination between the government and other private players. There is a need to come up with general practices for training, and ambulance equipment among others. There are inadequate ambulance services in the poorer areas and rural regions around Jaipur as well.
Future Outlook
With more people living in Jaipur and the expansion of its territory, there would be a need for an increased number of ambulance services as well. Some of the steps that can be undertaken to continually upgrade ambulance services include:
- Ambulance density as per WHO recommendations has to be increased
- Geospatial analytics can be employed to predict which areas are likely to experience high incidences of emergencies, and where ambulances should be dispatched.
- The authorities should increase the usage of mini or small ambulances particularly in crowded areas.
- Increasing the number of local volunteers who are trained in performing basic life support and response to emergencies
- Designing separate corridors that would allow for improved ambulance commutes during rush hour traffic within the city.
There has been significant improvement in the ambulance service in Jaipur with the collective support of government departments and different private healthcare organizations. Nevertheless, much more has to be done to bring it to the level of the best-performing countries in the world. The priorities would be response time, extending service periphery, and enhancing clinical skills through advanced equipment and trained personnel. This will be of great help in the protection of human lives, especially during incidences of disasters.
Conclusion
Emergency transportation services are an essential need when addressing a population of over 3 million people and the growth trend in Jaipur. While publicly funded services have remained conspicuous by their absence, the private players have scaled up the ambulance service in Jaipur considerably.
The right approach in regulations, embracing technological advancements, an increased budget, and awareness can work wonders, and make Jaipur hold an ambulance service that brings out the best of both worlds in the government and the private sectors to save as many lives as possible. For more services, visit Heaven Gate!