Public apathy, traffic woes hamper ambulances

Although the Punjab IGP has ordered police officials to ensure that ambulances do not face obstructions in movement, the emergency responders say they are also hampered by several other factors along with blockade of roads for security and protocol.

The IGP issued the orders a day after a video of a man crying in an ambulance stuck in traffic had gone viral on social media. The ambulance was reportedly shifting an injured person to Nishtar Hospital Multan after an accident. The man said in the video clip that they had been stuck for over half an hour due to closure of the roads for VIP protocol. Commenting on the development, Adeel Janjua, who had worked with Edhi Ambulance Service for several years, said that ambulance drivers faced a number of problems, including those linked with the general attitude of the people.

He said people often did not let them pass and many did not understand that an ambulance not carrying a patient might be going to an accident site. Time taken to reach the site to shift patients to hospitals was also crucial, he added. The ambulances also got stuck in long queues at traffic signals or sometimes at security pickets, he said. He complained that traffic wardens imposed fine on ambulance drivers for violating traffic lights or for parking at unauthorised spots.

The rescue worker claimed that the private ambulance services charging high fees from patients faced fewer difficulties in their operations. IGP Punjab Inam Ghani haf asked the field officers to ensure fast movement of ambulances while overlooking the traffic rules of lane and one way. He said in the letter issued to the field officers that it was very important to ensure swift movement of ambulances for protection of lives as even a few minutes delay due to traffic jam might prove fatal.

He said the implementation of security and traffic protocols should be avoided for ambulances in a medical emergency. The IGP said traffic police teams deputed on highways in all the districts shoul ensure measures for smooth movement of ambulances on a priority basis and the regional, district and city police officers should also monitor the steps taken in this regard.

He further said that ambulances carrying patients should not be stopped unnecessarily at checkpoints and should be allowed to leave immediately after confirmation of medical emergency. IGP Ghani said that all police vehicles passing through an area should clear the roads for ambulances and help them cross the traffic signals.

He said that in case of an accident, it is the responsibility of the police to clear the place for traffic as soon as possible, while providing all possible assistance to the ambulances and medical personnel. The provincial police chief told the RPOs, CPOs and DPOs to ensure implementation of standard operating procedures and take departmental action against officials who violate them.

There have been several incidents in the past where people lost their lives due to the closure of roads because of protocol, security or agitation.