Gujarats Boat Ambulances Respond to 777 Medical Emergencies, Majority Pregnancy-Related
Gujarats boat ambulances have handled 777 emergencies since 2018, with nearly half linked to pregnancy complications, highlighting their vital role in healthcare.
Gandhinagar, October 17 (Daily Kiran) : Since April 2018, Gujarat’s two boat ambulances have addressed 777 medical emergencies, with approximately 46% of these cases related to pregnancy complications. This statistic underscores the critical role that water-based emergency services play in delivering healthcare to residents of islands and coastal regions.
These boat ambulances have emerged as an effective means of providing timely medical assistance, particularly for pregnant women and patients with urgent health needs in remote island and coastal communities.
Operated under the state’s 108 emergency response service, the program includes two boat units, one stationed in Okha, located in the Devbhumi Dwarka district, and the other in Porbandar. These boats offer emergency medical support and transport patients to healthcare facilities in areas where road access is challenging or impossible.
Of the 777 emergencies recorded during this period, the Okha unit managed 720 cases, accounting for about 92.7% of the total, while the Porbandar unit handled 57 cases. Pregnancy-related emergencies were the most common, with 355 cases reported—350 handled by the Okha unit and five by Porbandar.
Officials noted that most of these cases involved residents from Bet Dwarka, where previously there was no road access, making boat transportation essential for women needing medical help during pregnancy.
Abdominal pain was the second most frequent reason for emergency transfers, with 105 cases reported—91 managed in Okha and 14 in Porbandar. Non-vehicular injuries, including those from fishing boats and coastal areas, accounted for 83 cases, with the Okha unit treating 71 and Porbandar 12. There were also 82 cases of cardiac emergencies, with 77 handled by Okha and five by Porbandar.
The service aims to address the challenges faced by residents of islands, remote coastal villages, and offshore fishing crews. By facilitating timely access to medical facilities despite geographical barriers and limited road connectivity, these ambulances play a crucial role in patient care.
Health Minister Prabhul Pansheriya emphasized the state government’s commitment to providing healthcare services to remote areas, including those accessible only by waterways. “Under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, we are dedicated to delivering healthcare services to every corner of the state, including the sea. Boat ambulances have been deployed to bridge the healthcare gap for island residents, coastal villages, and offshore fishing crews, ensuring critical pre-hospital care and life-saving transport services are available,” he stated.
The state government aims to improve emergency response times and ensure that patients from coastal and island communities can reach hospitals when needed.
