A major lapse in emergency medical response has surfaced in Udupi after a critically ill patient was allegedly denied access to a 108 ambulance for more than two hours, forcing residents to transport him to hospital in a goods carrier fitted with a cot. The incident has renewed public frustration over what locals describe as a year-long deterioration of the district’s ambulance services.
Family says multiple calls to 108 went unanswered
According to relatives of the patient, repeated calls were made to the 108-emergency service between 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm on Monday. Each time, they were reportedly told that no ambulances were available. Efforts to arrange a private ambulance also failed as the patient’s condition worsened.
With no other option, the family sought help from Vishu Shetty, a local resident, who quickly improvised by placing a cot inside his goods vehicle and transporting the patient to the Udupi District Hospital.
Locals allege long-standing failures in emergency services
Residents in Udupi say this is not an isolated case. For over a year, they allege, the 108-ambulance service has been unreliable, delayed, or unavailable, endangering critically ill patients. Some locals claim that several lives have been lost due to the alleged systemic failures.
Despite raising the issue repeatedly with district authorities and the state government, they say no substantial corrective action has been undertaken.
Only a fraction of ambulances operational, say residents
Udupi district reportedly has 18 ambulances under the 108 service. However, residents claim that only five to six vehicles are functional at any given time. Maintenance issues, staffing shortages and logistical delays are believed to be contributing factors.
Community members have urged immediate intervention from the district administration and the state health department to restore trust and ensure that emergency medical transport remains accessible.
Call for urgent government action
Healthcare activists and resident associations say the incident demonstrates the need for robust oversight and timely repairs of emergency service infrastructure. They emphasised that delays in ambulance response time can make the difference between life and death, especially for cardiac cases, trauma patients and those requiring intensive care.
Locals are now demanding a thorough review of the district’s 108 fleet, transparent reporting on ambulance availability and accountability measures to prevent further lapses.