On Wednesday, 17 September, in Dalwai Halli village, Tumkur district, Karnataka, 80-year-old Gudugulla Honnurappa was critically ill and urgently needed medical attention. Due to the unavailability of an ambulance, his two sons, Gopalayya (55) and Shankra (52), had no choice but to transport him to YN Hoskote Primary Health Center on a motorcycle. Unfortunately, Gudugulla Honnurappa passed away before reaching the hospital.

After his death, an ambulance arrived but refused to transport the body back to the village. When questioned, the ambulance staff cited regulations that prohibit the transportation of deceased bodies in emergency ambulances. Faced with this situation, the grieving children decided to return the body to their village on a motorcycle.

The unavailability of ambulances, particularly in rural areas, often leads to severe consequences for patients and their families. In emergency situations, the lack of timely ambulance services can result in delays that exacerbate the patient's condition, sometimes leading to fatalities. The absence of readily available transport options forces families to make desperate decisions, as seen in this case. The delay in providing appropriate transport not only impacts the quality of care but also places additional emotional and financial burdens on the families involved.

Dr. Shiva Shankar, Tumkur District Health Officer (DHO), responded to these allegations by stating that the patient was declared dead upon arrival at the health center. He clarified that while an emergency ambulance was indeed available, it was 35 km away at the time. Consequently, the family was compelled to transport the body on a motorcycle, highlighting the broader issue of inadequate ambulance services in critical situations.

The shortage of ambulances and the associated delays in rural regions underline a significant gap in emergency medical services, which can have dire implications for patient outcomes and family well-being.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)