Lives lost in wait | Jharkhand’s 108 ambulance service crippled by delays with 77 vehicles down & Rs 45 Cr dues pending

Day after day, the dilapidated state of Jharkhand’s crumbling infrastructure continues to make headlines. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) government faces mounting criticism for its inability to provide basic amenities in this mineral-rich state. Among the most pressing concerns is the lack of adequate medical facilities and ambulance services, a shortfall that has tragically cost many lives as patients are left waiting for help that never arrives.

The much-publicised 108 ambulance service, touted as a lifeline for emergency medical transport, is now a symbol of systemic failure. Despite clear mandates for ambulances to respond within 25 minutes in urban areas and 40 minutes in rural regions, delays have become the norm. Shockingly, reports reveal numerous cases where ambulances took over an hour—or failed to arrive altogether—leaving critically ill patients stranded and, in many cases, leading to preventable fatalities.

This crisis stems from a combination of factors, including a massive backlog in vehicle maintenance, mismanagement of finances, and administrative bottlenecks. According to an exclusive report by Dainik Bhaskar, numerous lives have been lost due to the unavailability of ambulances under the 108 service. Several of these harrowing incidents are detailed below, painting a grim picture of failing healthcare infrastructure in Jharkhand.

Real Stories of Tragedy and Delay

Case 1: Harischandra Mahato’s Fatal Wait

Harischandra Mahato, a resident of Ratu, suffered a suspected brain stroke on a cold evening. Despite a local doctor advising immediate transfer to RIMS, Ranchi, repeated calls to the 108 ambulance service proved futile. Each time, the driver assured arrival within 10 minutes, but the vehicle only reached after an agonising 1 hour and 5 minutes. Tragically, Mahato succumbed to his condition en route to the hospital.

Case 2: Suresh Paswan’s Unanswered Pleas

In Jidu village of Ormanjhi block, Suresh Paswan developed severe breathing difficulties. When his condition worsened, his family contacted the 108 service. However, they were informed that no ambulance was available. The family made desperate calls for over four hours, but help never arrived. Paswan died at home, waiting for an ambulance that never came.

Case 3: Road Accident Victim’s Long Wait

On December 19, a bike rider met with a serious accident in Tatisilve. The young man suffered a fractured leg and lay writhing in pain on the roadside. A concerned bystander contacted 108, only to be told to wait 30 minutes. Even after 40 minutes, no ambulance arrived. Eventually, locals flagged down a private vehicle and rushed the victim to the hospital.

Service in Disarray: What’s Behind the Crisis?

The 108 ambulance service in Jharkhand operates 543 vehicles, including advanced life support and neonatal ambulances. However, the system is crumbling under the weight of inefficiencies: 77 ambulances are non-functional, with 37 off-road and 40 stuck in maintenance.

A pending payment of Rs 45 crores from the National Health Mission (NHM) to the operating agency, EMRI Green Health Services, has stalled repairs. The new agency selected through a rushed tender process remains in limbo as the health department has yet to issue a work order.

Systemic Failure: The Response Time Crisis

National guidelines mandate that ambulances reach patients within 25 minutes in urban areas and 40 minutes in rural settings. However, in 80 per cent of cases, these benchmarks are not met in Jharkhand.

On average, the Ranchi-based call center receives 650-700 calls daily, but only 250 are genuine emergencies. Of these, just 70-80 patients receive government ambulance services, forcing others to rely on costly private options.

Official Statements

Bikram Chakraborty, State Head of EMRI Green Health Services, highlighted the financial crunch: “Out of 543 ambulances, 77 are under repair due to pending payments. We have repeatedly written to NHM, but the Rs 45 crore dues remain unpaid.”

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari has initiated an inquiry into allegations of irregularities in the ambulance tender process, adding another layer of complexity to the crisis.

The 108 ambulance service, meant to be a lifeline for patients in emergencies, is failing to deliver in Jharkhand.

With financial woes, administrative lapses, and operational inefficiencies crippling the system, urgent intervention is needed to prevent further loss of life.