The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is to put in place the National Ambulance Code to rationalize the Ambulance specifications in the country and to ensure quality pre-inter-hospital transfer of patients.

A Committee has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr. Shakti K. Gupta of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, AIIMS, comprising experts from AIIMS, ARAI, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry of Health and other stake holders to finalize the Draft code in this regard.

The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Dr. C.P. Joshi said, the Ministry is also in the process of formulation of a National Emergency Medical Services Network by interlinking all the existing and new ambulances under a centralized Toll Free number and are actively pursuing the matter with other related ministries as well.

The Ministry has committed to provide 140 Advance Life Support Ambulances to identified Trauma Care Centres being developed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along the National Highways. It is planning to impart first-aid training to drivers, toll booth operators and volunteers from nearby villages along National Highways and to give first-aid training in Spinal and Head injury cases.

It is also organizing Seminars and Workshops involving the State governments, all stakeholders, academicians and planners in order to raise the level of awareness on road safety issues and to work in a systematic manner to curb the rising trend of road accidents and fatalities.