{
  "id": 18522076,
  "title": "Maharashtra To Add 350 New Ambulances To 108 Emergency Fleet In First Phase, Plans Recruitment Of 1,900 Doctors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/maharashtra-to-add-350-new-ambulances-to-108-emergency-fleet-in-first",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T15:08:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-to-add-350-new-ambulances-to-108-emergency-fleet-in-first-phase-plans-recruitment-of-1900-doctors"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Maharashtra is set to bolster its 108 emergency medical services fleet by introducing 350 new ambulances in the first phase of a significant expansion. The initiative aims to enhance emergency healthcare, especially in rural, remote and underserved regions. Health Minister Prakash Abitkar confirmed the addition, emphasizing its role in ensuring prompt patient transport to hospitals.\n\nThe government also plans to appoint an additional 1,900 doctors. The 108 ambulance service, managed under the Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) project, offers free emergency transportation around the clock. It addresses scenarios such as road accidents, heart attacks, severe illnesses, pregnancy-related complications, neonatal emergencies and snakebite cases.\n\nEarlier in September, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had announced the introduction of 1,756 new ambulances into the 108 fleet. The proposed expansion encompasses Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances, specialized neonatal ambulances, first responder bike ambulances, and river and marine ambulance services.\n\nThe 350 ambulances will be incorporated as part of the initial phase. This expansion is anticipated to reduce response times for emergency medical services, particularly in areas where hospital accessibility is a concern. The 108 service targets to transport patients to the nearest suitable hospital within the critical first hour of a medical emergency, known as the \"golden hour,\" where timely medical intervention can greatly enhance survival prospects.\n\nThe forthcoming ambulances will be equipped with ECG machines, transport ventilators, pulse oximeters, suction pumps and oxygen supply systems. They will also facilitate communication between ambulance medical staff and hospital doctors, ensuring they receive treatment guidance during patient transport.",
  "summary": "Mumbai: Maharashtra will induct 350 new ambulances into its 108 emergency medical services fleet in the first phase of a major expansion aimed at strengthening emergency healthcare, particularly in rural, remote and underserved areas. Health Minister Prakash Abitkar announced the move, saying the expansion would help ensure timely transportation of patients to hospitals. State Plans To Recruit…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}