Raja Syed Rather
Jammu and Kashmir has a total of 139 Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances and 64 Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances, while Ladakh has 22 ALS ambulances but no BLS ambulances, according to the latest data from the National Health Mission (NHM) as of September 2024.
Despite improvements in emergency medical services, the lack of BLS ambulances in Ladakh remains a major concern, especially for remote areas where access to advanced healthcare facilities is limited.
Experts say that the absence of BLS ambulances in Ladakh could create challenges in providing basic emergency care, particularly in high-altitude regions where timely medical intervention is crucial.
In J&K, the presence of 139 ALS ambulances is a positive development, but the low number of BLS ambulances (64) raises concerns about accessibility in rural districts. BLS ambulances play a crucial role in providing initial stabilization for patients before they are shifted to hospitals with advanced facilities.
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has stated that ambulance distribution is based on population norms—one ALS ambulance per 500,000 people and one BLS ambulance per 100,000 people. However, health experts argue that geographical challenges in J&K and Ladakh require more flexible allocation criteria.
The maintenance and operational efficiency of these ambulances are monitored by the NHM through regular review meetings and field visits. However, given the difficult terrain and frequent road blockages in these Union Territories, ensuring the proper functioning of ambulances is critical.
