Gujarat government expands 542 regular ambulances to 108 emergency services network
The Gujarat government announced the integration of 542 ordinary ambulances into 108 ambulance services in the state. Previously stationed at various health agencies, the ambulances will now operate under the 108 Emergency Services system to enhance the state's ability to provide timely and efficient emergency medical assistance.
The newly integrated fleet includes 118 ambulances from primary health centers, 310 ambulances from community health centers, 59 from zoning hospitals, 31 ambulances from regional hospitals and 21 ambulances from medical school affiliated hospitals.
This strategic integration will simplify emergency response, especially for temporary transfers (IFTs) and nearby emergencies.
Currently, 108 emergency services have a fleet of 800 senior life support and essential lifeguards, as well as 38 ICU-Wheels across the state.
With 119 new ambulances added this year, including 542 reassigned vehicles, the total number of emergency ambulances in Gujarat will increase to 1,499.
This expansion marks a massive upgrade of the state’s emergency medical infrastructure, designed to ensure faster and more effective emergency medical services for residents.
The integration of these ambulances is expected to bring some key benefits to the state's healthcare system.
Over the past two years, 108 emergency services have helped more than 28.6 million people, of which 542 ambulances will further strengthen emergency medical response.
The current daily workload of temporary transfers is nearly 350-400, with the response time in rural areas being 21.04 minutes and 11.26 minutes in urban areas.
As the fleet expands, the state aims to reduce the average response time from 16.5 minutes to just 10 minutes.
In addition, ambulances will be integrated into intelligent recommendation systems, enabling real-time tracking of critical patient transport and ensuring rapid patient orientation to the appropriate medical facility.
The redistribution of previously stationed ambulances in hospitals will also improve vehicle availability in general and critical emergencies, ensuring optimal utilization of resources.
The integration of standardized medical equipment, consumables and trained personnel in all ambulances will ensure consistent, high-quality prehospital care.
Emergency services availability in remote and rural areas will be enhanced, allowing faster access to ambulances and intensive care.
The system will also have real-time data integration, enabling precise location tracking and performance analysis to inform future improvements.
With all ambulances enabled and centrally managed by the Chief Minister’s dashboard, coordination during crises such as natural disasters or epidemics will be more effective.
The Gujarat government allocates Rs 10,477 crore annually to fund this expanded initiative, which will cover the operation of new fleets, integration with statewide emergency agreements, training and management.
