Special-Purpose Ambulances, Rescue Equipment, Medical Standards: MoRTH Proposes New Ambulance Rules

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has introduced draft notification GSR 382(E), which proposes amendments to Automotive Industry Standard (AIS)-125, governing Constructional and Functional Requirements for Road Ambulances (Part 1) and Medical Equipment for Road Ambulances (Part 2). The ministry aims to improve road safety and reduce fatalities in case of road accidents through timely and effective medical intervention.

In addition to the availability of ambulances, the ministry aims to establish standards for their design and specifications in order to allow for medical personnel to carry out potentially life-saving treatments as well as ensure the comfort and safety of patients who are being transported to hospitals. The ministry cites studies saying that nearly 50 percent of road accident deaths can be prevented if medical intervention is possible within an hour.  

Under the new proposals, the government will recognise new specialised emergency medical vehicles. In particular, neonatal ambulances will be defined as those specially designed to transport sick or even prematurely born infants, particularly from smaller regional hospitals to more specialised ones where they can receive specialised care. Additionally, multi-stretcher ambulances will be defined as designed to carry multiple stretchers while allowing onboard medical personnel to provide intensive care support to one patient at a time.

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The ministry also proposes to update the mandatory rescue equipment that ambulances will carry. As per the proposals, all ambulances classified as Class B, C, and D will need to be equipped with emergency rescue tools to help extract road accident victims who might be trapped inside damaged vehicles. The rules even cover the scenario of an ambulance itself being involved in an accident.

Much like other recent government policies, the new rules for road ambulances also encourage transitioning away from fossil fuels. Electric ambulances must be equipped with a dedicated power source for onboard medical equipment, to avoid any possible lapse in patient care.

The updates to AIS-125 (Part 2) also specify standards for all types of medical devices that must be installed in ambulances.

At present, MoRTH is inviting public comments and feedback on the draft norms before a final notification is issued.