Gujarat’s 108 service responds to nearly two crore emergencies, saves over 19.66 lakh lives

Gandhinagar, Sep 2 (IANS) Gujarat’s 108 emergency medical service has entered its 20th year after responding to nearly 1.99 crore emergencies and helping save more than 19.66 lakh lives since its launch in 2007, according to figures released by the state government on Wednesday.

Launched on August 29, 2007, the free ambulance service has evolved into a pre-hospital emergency care network covering medical emergencies as well as police and fire-related calls.

The service has travelled more than 62 crore km over 19 years and currently mobilises an ambulance approximately every 21 seconds across the state.

Of the nearly 1.99 crore emergency cases handled up to August this year, more than 1.96 crore were medical emergencies, while 2.55 lakh were police-related cases and around 8,300 involved fire emergencies.

The service has an average response time of 13 minutes and nine seconds, while around 99 per cent of calls are answered within the first two rings.

A major part of the service’s work has involved maternal and child emergencies. Over the 19 years, 108 has responded to more than 62.97 lakh pregnancy and childbirth-related emergencies.

Ambulance personnel have conducted more than 1,64,715 deliveries either at the scene or while transporting women to hospitals.

The service has also provided pre-hospital care in more than 24.18 lakh road accident cases, 11.77 lakh serious respiratory emergencies and 9.87 lakh heart attack cases, with rapid intervention aimed at ensuring patients reach hospitals during the critical golden hour.

The state has expanded the emergency network beyond conventional road ambulances. It launched what the government described as India’s first integrated air ambulance service on March 21, 2022 with cooperation from private companies.

Boat ambulance services have also been introduced at Porbandar and Okha ports to provide emergency medical assistance to fishermen at sea.

The network currently transports an average of about 4,780 patients to hospitals every day, including from remote parts of Gujarat. A 15-acre Emergency Response Centre at Naroda-Kathwada in Ahmedabad operates round the clock for medical, police and fire emergencies. Its computer-aided dispatch system uses location-based technology to identify callers and facilitate the deployment of the nearest available ambulance.

Alongside the 108 network, Gujarat’s integrated 112 emergency helpline has completed its first year.

The service, inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in August 2025, has attended more than 10 lakh emergency calls during the year, with its control room handling an average of 10 calls every minute.

The 112 system brings police, ambulance, fire, women and child helplines and disaster-related assistance under a single emergency number.

The national Emergency Response Support System is designed to provide a unified platform through which distress calls can be routed to the appropriate emergency service. Gujarat has subsequently expanded its 112 response network.

In August, the state added 500 ‘Janrakshak’ vehicles, taking the fleet to 1,000 vehicles operating around the clock. The system uses GPS, computer-aided dispatch and caller-location technology to direct emergency resources.

Officials said the response time had already fallen to 10 minutes and 49 seconds, with further reductions targeted.

The state government said the personnel working across the emergency networks — including call-centre agents, ambulance staff, drivers and police personnel — operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to respond to citizens requiring immediate assistance.

–IANS

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