VIP Movement for Ambulances - SAVE LIFE !!

There are times in our lives when we need urgent medical care and when even a moment’s delay can change a life and when every fraction of a second can mean the difference between life and death. In such times Ambulances and paramedics play a crucial role. They contribute enormously to society, saving hundreds of lives each day by responding immediately to calls for of assistance. All over the world there are centres which have been set up to receive emergency calls and dispatch ambulances.

In India every city and town has several government funded and private centres providing ambulance services and Indian society is aware of the importance of the role played by ambulances for all members of society. Unfortunately, despite the service provided by ambulances, society often seems have little respect for them. Newspapers and news channels are full of stories about ambulances caught in traffic jams and lives being lost because the ambulances have failed to reach hospitals in time.

The government and other political parties appear to have little understanding of the importance of ambulances. Reports of ambulance services being hit by political processions and protest meetings are not uncommon. Recently in Kolkata a newly elected party was busy celebrating its victory, which heavily disrupted traffic. A 50-year-old pancreatic patient waited, writhing in pain inside the ambulance, which was stuck in the celebration. By the time the patient managed to reach the hospital she had lost consciousness and was close to losing her life. In Delhi, a 28-year-old heart patient died in the ambulance when it got caught in a road blockade.

The immediate response of the public and even traffic police to an approaching ambulance is one of amusement and curiosity. Failure of the traffic police to take control of the traffic leads to chaos. The ambulances remain stuck in jams and it can be quite some time before they can start moving again.  Often one sees two-wheeled vehicles, cars and other vehicles trying to squeeze past ambulances and rush ahead. They have little time or respect for the patient inside who may well be in an emergency situation. It is up to the ambulance driver to try and manoeuvre his way out of the chaos which makes reaching the hospital in time a colossal task. In stark contrast, in western countries, as soon as an ambulance siren is heard, cars start moving away to make way for the speeding ambulance so that its movement is uninterrupted. Also, unlike some western countries there are no separate lanes for emergency purposes in India as the existing roads are already not broad enough.

“It is a fact that in a severe accidental case, a patient transported to the nearest healthcare facility within 15-20 minutes, has exponentially high survival chance. INDIA has the highest no. of death due to Ambulance Delay.

Ideally, the chances of survival rate from a heart attack or a life threatening injury reduces from 70% to 7% in just 4 min due to delay in first EMS response.Sadly, practices like “Right of way” are not followed by the citizens here.

On the other side its SAD to note that common people who are in need of Immediate and Urgent Medical attention die on Roads due to delay in treatment caused by Late arrival of Ambulance. 

Why cannot we treat a common man's life as VIP? or is it only refered to our Politicians? 

I would like to propose to the GOVT to treat Ambulances just like how they manage VIP traffic movement during heavy traffic hours. The solution is to link all traffic junctions with SOS for ambulances , All traffic police must operate the same way like they do it for VIP politicians movement and allow free and smooth passage to an Ambulance when ever required. 

 My sincere request to all Indian citizens is to sign this petition and make it reach the entire nation so that the GOVT takes a note of the concern and immplement VIP traffice movement like approach for our Ambulances on immediate basis. 

Lets fight back to STOP such shameful incidents of Ambulances getting stuck in Traffic. Lets together make it happen to give them a safe and Free passage and SAVE THE DESERVING LIFE OF A COMMON MAN.