Lucknow: Despite the growing focus on healthcare access, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in rural India remain critically underdeveloped. Thousands of lives are lost every year not due to the lack of treatment but due to the delay in reaching treatment.
As someone who has spent years on the ground training citizens, paramedics, and volunteers in trauma first aid and CPR, I’ve come to believe that EMS reform is not a luxury it’s a lifesaving necessity.
Here’s how we can move from reactive to responsive EMS in rural India:
1. Train the First Responders Who Are Already There
In most rural emergencies, the first to reach the victim are not paramedics but bystanders, family members, or local transporters. We must
- •Launch village-level training in trauma first aid and CPR
- •Empower school teachers, farmers , and police to act during the golden hour
- •Provide first responder kits with basic bleeding control and airway tools
This low-cost, high-impact intervention can save thousands.
Also Read : Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in India: A Detailed Note
2. Equip and Incentivize 108 Ambulance Systems
- •Ensure EMT-level training for all ambulance staff
- •Integrate GPS-based tracking and triage with local PHCs and CHCs
- •Incentivize ambulance drivers with performance-linked rewards for timely response
3. Leverage Panchayats and Gram Sabhas for EMS Governance
Health is a local issue. Gram Panchayats must be roped in to:
- •Allocate local funds for EMS preparedness
- •Maintain emergency contact boards in the village
- •Set up first aid posts in every Panchayat Bhavan
This creates community ownership and speeds up response times.
4. Integrate EMS into Primary Health Infrastructure
Primary Health Centres (PHCs) should not just treat—they should respond.
- •Set up trauma corners at PHCs with stretchers, splints, and emergency kits
- •Create a local ambulance command center for 10–15 surrounding villages
- •Ensure PHC doctors are trained in prehospital emergency protocols
This brings emergency care closer to the people.
5. Use Mobile Technology for Alert and Coordination
Even in rural areas, mobile penetration is high.
- •Create a simple “Emergency Help” WhatsApp broadcast in every village
- •Use mobile apps for EMT case reporting, geolocation, and real-time triage
- •Enable villagers to send pictures/videos to district EMS units for remote assessment
This makes the EMS system smarter, not just faster.
The Time to Act Is Now
Strengthening rural EMS isn’t just about adding ambulances. It’s about building a community-centric emergency culture—where saving lives becomes everyone’s business.
