Udupi Patient Rushed to Hospital in Goods Tempo After 108 Ambulance Fails to Arrive
Family waited over 2.5 hours for emergency services, raising concerns over the district’s failing ambulance system.
Udupi: In a distressing incident reported from Udyavar in Udupi district, a critically ill patient had to be transported to the district hospital in a goods tempo after a 108 emergency ambulance failed to arrive despite repeated calls.
According to sources, the patient’s family contacted the 108 service multiple times between 7:00 pm and 9:30 pm, but were repeatedly told that no ambulance was available. Attempts to arrange a private ambulance also failed. As the patient’s condition worsened, the family sought help from Vishu Shetty of Ambalpady.
Shetty also tried contacting emergency services but was unable to secure any ambulance. With no option left, he placed a cot inside his goods tempo and rushed the patient to the district hospital—an effort that may have saved the patient’s life.
Speaking to reporters, Shetty said the 108 service in the district has been unreliable for nearly a year. “Hundreds of patients have suffered because of this. I have repeatedly raised the issue with the government, but nothing has changed,” he said. He added that although Udupi district officially has 18 ambulances under the 108 service, only five or six are actually available for public use.
The incident has sparked serious concern over the condition of emergency medical response in Udupi, with many calling for immediate action from the government and district administration. Residents say that such failures in critical situations put lives at unnecessary risk and demand urgent systemic improvements.
Source: Daijiworld
