93% calls on Rescue 1122 are fake or frivolous, says CEO

Sindh Integrated Emergency and Health Services CEO Abid Naveed has expressed concerns over the "irresponsible behavior" of the public, which is hindering the efficient functioning of the emergency medical aid and patient evacuation service in Sindh.

According to him, a staggering 93 per cent of the calls received on Rescue 1122 are either fake or unrelated, causing significant difficulties for genuine emergency cases.

Out of the daily average of 14,000 to 15,000 calls, only around 1,000 are legitimate emergencies, while the remaining 93 per cent of callers disrupt the service and prevent people in genuine emergency situations from receiving timely assistance, he said.

Among these callers, there are instances of children accidentally dialing the emergency number when they have access to their parents' mobile phones. Additionally, some non-serious individuals misuse the service by testing their phone's microphone or hands-free capabilities. Furthermore, there are cases of women calling to inquire about biryani recipes.

Such frivolous callers put a burden on the network of Rescue 1122, resulting in busy lines and inconvenience for those in genuine need of immediate assistance.

Naveed underlined the importance of raising awareness in society regarding the appropriate use of emergency services. Moreover, legal and technical measures can be implemented to prevent unnecessary calls to Rescue 1122 if required.

Blocking the numbers of repeat offenders may be considered, but this approach would also prevent them from accessing Rescue 1122 during genuine emergencies.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22^nd, 2023.