Page 46 - TT Aug-Sept pdf for digital

MAKING A POINT

way of signing a “State Support of ambulances, especially on
Agreement” with respective State national highways, is fraught with
Governments prior to developing challenges that undermine the
of National Highways in that State. efficacy of emergency medical
responses.
What then is the Issue?
Lack of Qualified Personnel
Largely due to lack of systematic
flow of documents down the One of the foremost issues in
line in the State Government, it ambulance management is the
is a common experience that the shortage of qualified Emergency
respective Health Departments, Management Technicians (EMTs)
District Collectors, Police and paramedics. Several factors
Superintendents, PWD (R&B contribute to this problem:
Departments), RTO are unaware 1. Competition for Talent:
of any commitments made by Qualified nurses and paramedics
the State to support the National are frequently recruited by
Highway Project and are hence private hospitals, leaving a
reluctant to comply with the limited pool for ambulance
The current state of provisions of the State Support services.
ambulance services Agreement.
and emergency As a result, State Medical 2. Training Deficiencies: While
the National Skill Development
management on India’s Departments rarely provide Corporation (NSDC) offers
national highways qualified manpower to operate a training programs for EMTs,
reveals significant medical aid post or for manning the number of skill centres are
gaps that contribute to of the ambulances. The reasons insufficient to meet industry
preventable fatalities. cited range from the State Health demand.
Addressing these Departments not being consulted 3. Job Attractiveness: The roles
in advance, budgetary constraints
deficiencies through to acute shortage of critical available in ambulance services
regulatory reforms, manpower. often come with low salaries
enhanced training, Consequently, the responsibility and limited career growth,
and technological of operating a Medical Aid Post making them less appealing to
advancements is crucial and manning of Ambulances skilled professionals.
to improving rescue falls on to the Concessionaires/ 4. Urban Preference: Available
operations and reducing Highway Operators, although they talent tends to prefer working
accident-related deaths. seriously lack domain expertise. in urban settings attached
to major hospitals, where
Operating Ambulances opportunities for growth and
expenditure incurred by it in each In India, the provision and better remuneration are more
year on the medical equipment, management of ambulance prevalent.
& the pay and allowances of up to services remain largely As a result, many ambulances
two medical personnel deployed unregulated, with minimal operating on national highways
exclusively for the Medical Aid prerequisites for operators. are staffed by personnel
Posts and ambulance/s. Although guidelines exist, with inadequate training and

4. Maintain the Medical Aid Post the absence of a robust experience, and instances of fake
certifications are not uncommon.
buildings. regulatory framework means
that compliance is often limited
However, the responsibility for to basic requirements such as Lack of Qualified
staffing and operating these posts RTO registration, insurance, Ambulance Drivers
falls on State Governments. This and periodic fitness certificates. Current regulations mandate only
was attempted to be ensured by Consequently, the operation a Commercial Driving License (CDL)

46 TRAFFICINFRATECH / August - September 2024 / www.trafficinfratech.com