Lok Sabha Question No. 2168 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-01
Subject: Ambulance Services in Tea Estates of Assam
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Gaurav Gogoi

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2168 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01 st AUGUST 2025

## AMBULANCES SERVICES IN TEAESTATES OFASSAM

## 2168. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has data on the number of ambulances currently deployed in hospitals and primary health units located in the tea estates of Assam, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is a fact that a significant proportion of these ambulances are non-functional or lack essential medical equipment, as indicated by recent field assessments conducted by health authorities and civil society organisations, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to ensure functional and well-equipped ambulance services in tea estate hospitals and health units across Assam;
- (d) whether the Central or State Government conducts regular audits or inspections of ambulances and medical equipment available in tea estate health facilities; and
- (e) if so, the details of such audits, including the frequency, findings and corrective measures taken in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) & (b): The Primary responsibility of strengthening public healthcare system, including efforts to have required numbers of ambulances lies with the respective States/UTs. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides the technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen their public healthcare system, based on the requirements posed by States/UTs.

As per information provided by Government of Assam, a total of 649 Patient Transport Vehicles (PTVs) have been deployed specifically in tea garden hospitals across the State of Assam part of a targeted intervention to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in tea garden areas, where access to medical transport has traditionally been limited. These vehicles have been provided to improve referral transport facilities and ensure timely access to healthcare for tea garden workers and their families. All the PTVs deployed in tea garden hospitals are presently in proper working condition.

(c): The Ministry supports States/UTs each year for improving their emergency ecosystem through State Programme Implementation Plan (SPIP) duly apprised by the National Programme Coordination Committee (NPCC). The Ministry has also urged State authorities to ensure strict compliance to Automotive Industry Standard (AIS-125) during procurement and registration of ambulances to standardize emergency medical response services across the country.

(d) & (e): The Ministry supports a robust framework for periodic audits and assessments of ambulances and their equipment, encouraging high standards of operational readiness and service quality. Since Health is State Subject, the primary responsibility of strengthening public healthcare system, including efforts to have required number of functional ambulances adapted to local contexts so that rural, remote, and undeserved populations receive sustained attention, lies with the respective State/UT Governmnets. The implementation progress and performance of ambulances are regularly monitored and inspected by State authorities.

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