In a visionary move toward transforming India’s emergency medical response, Dr. V.K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, has called for a technology-driven overhaul of the national ambulance network to ensure that emergency medical care reaches patients within 10 minutes.

Speaking at a high-level health forum, Dr. Paul emphasized the need for integration of digital technologies, real-time tracking, and data-driven coordination to optimize emergency response times across the country. He noted that timely medical intervention can be life-saving in cases of cardiac arrest, trauma, stroke, and road accidents, yet delays in ambulance arrival continue to be a major challenge.

Dr. Paul stated, “India needs an integrated, tech-enabled emergency response grid that ensures no patient is left waiting in their moment of need. With AI, GPS mapping, and digital coordination, we can achieve the 10-minute care delivery target nationwide.”

The proposed reform includes AI-enabled dispatch systems, interconnected control centers, and predictive analytics to identify demand hotspots and deploy ambulances more efficiently. Additionally, linking the ambulance network with public and private hospitals through digital health records and telemedicine support could further improve outcomes during the critical “golden hour.”

Dr. Paul also urged state governments and healthcare providers to leverage India’s growing digital health ecosystem, including the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), to strengthen emergency infrastructure.

Public health experts hailed the proposal as a transformative step toward reducing preventable deaths and bringing India’s emergency medical response in line with global best practices.

If successfully implemented, the initiative could mark a new era in pre-hospital care, ensuring that every life-threatening emergency is met with swift, technology-enabled medical attention—anywhere in India.