The critically ill patient being shifted in a goods vehicle to Udupi District Hospital owing to the unavailability of a 108 ambulance, on December 7 night.
| Photo Credit: UMESH S. SHETTIGAR
Non-availability of a 108 ambulance reportedly for about two hours forced a family in Udupi to shift a critically ill patient to the Udupi District Hospital in a goods vehicle on December 7 night.
According to social worker Vishu Shetty, repeated calls made by the patient’s family members to the 108 helpline between 7 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. on December 7 went unanswered, and private ambulances were also not available. As the patient’s condition worsened, Mr. Shetty placed a cot inside his goods vehicle and transported the patient from Udyavara to the hospital.
Taking strong exception to the incident, Yashpal Suvarna, Udupi MLA, alleged in a statement on December 8 that the State government is playing with the lives of patients as the 108 ambulance helpline failed to respond on time.
“This situation has raised serious concerns about emergency medical response in Udupi district,” the MLA said.
Describing the incident as highly unfortunate, Mr. Suvarna alleged that the State government has adopted a step-motherly attitude towards health needs of the district.
The MLA said that in the last two years, some patients in the district have faced similar problems owing to disruption in the 108 ambulance service. “Though the Health and Family Welfare Minister’s attention was drawn to the issue, no serious action has been taken,” he said.
Mr. Suvarna said that dialysis services were disrupted at the district hospital last year. The government’s slow response then forced private hospitals to step in and provide free dialysis until services resumed.
The MLA said that 108 ambulance staff are facing poor working conditions, unscientific shift patterns, salary issues, and vehicle maintenance issues.
Notwithstanding several written appeals, Mr. Suvarna said the government has not resolved the issues.
The MLA said that the new, under-construction district hospital building is facing a shortage of funds and hence, has remained incomplete for the past two years.
The government should immediately streamline 108 ambulance services and complete the hospital building at the earliest, he said.
Published – December 08, 2025 07:53 pm IST
