Ambulance delay due to traffic stalls emergency care
"Our field staff frequently comes across ambulances stuck in traffic, especially on the highways. While motorists also cooperate, we have instructed our staff to immediately prioritise and clear the path for these vehicles," said Pankaj Shirsat, deputy commissioner, Thane Traffic. Activists also point out how social media is often flooded with alerts about ambulances stuck in jams.
Doctors say precious time is often lost in transporting patients—particularly road and rail accident victims — to hospitals, in addition to the time required to analyse the patient's health before admission.
"Critically injured patients often deteriorate before reaching the facility," said a railway police escort officer.
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While the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) planned a bike ambulance service for faster first-aid response in congested areas, it remains non-operational. Spotting the gap, a private hospital in Thane recently launched an AI-integrated 5G Smart Ambulance. "This ambulance transmits live patient data — ECG, blood pressure, oxygen saturation—to the emergency room en route," said Dr Ankit Biyani, HOD of Emergency Medicine at KIMS Hospitals, which launched the service.
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"AI continuously analyses vitals, allowing our doctors to start treatment protocols before arrival."
The system aims to cut down emergency room processing time. "In trauma, cardiac arrest, or stroke, the golden hour can mean life or death," added Dr Amit Raodeo, Chief of Critical Care. City-based Dr Mahesh Bedekar emphasised the need to scale such services. "With govt support, these innovations can be expanded." to benefit more people.
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