Policy Proposal: Leveraging Ride-Hailing Services for Emergency Medical Transport in India

Uber, Ola and Rapido can potentially save precious lives.

Executive Summary

India’s healthcare system faces significant challenges in delivering timely emergency medical services (EMS), particularly in resource-constrained regions. Limited ambulance availability, high costs, and geographic inaccessibility exacerbate this issue. This policy proposal advocates for integrating ride-hailing services into the emergency medical services framework to address these gaps. By equipping vehicles with foldable stretchers, incentivising drivers, and utilising corporate social responsibility (CSR) budgets, India can establish a scalable, cost-effective solution to ensure timely access to medical transport, saving lives and improving healthcare equity.

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Introduction: A Case for Urgency

On Jan 16th 2025, Indian actor Saif Ali Khan was stabbed multiple times during an intruder attack at his home. Despite his severe injuries, he was transported to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai using an auto-rickshaw. This incident highlights a glaring gap in India’s emergency medical infrastructure—the need for timely and accessible medical transport options. For millions of Indians in underserved urban areas, such alternative transport solutions could mean the difference between life and death.

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Problem Statement

1. Insufficient Ambulance Availability: India has only 1 ambulance per 144,000 people, far below the WHO’s recommendation of 1 per 10,000.

2. Delayed Medical Attention: Traffic congestion and poor road infrastructure often delay critical medical care.

3. Resource Strain: Overburdened government health services cannot meet the growing demand for EMS.

   
   

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Policy Solution: Integrating Ride-Hailing Services into EMS

Key Features of the Initiative:

1.     Equipping Ride-Hailing Vehicles with Foldable Stretchers:

Designed for situations where advanced life support (ALS) is not required during transportation. These stretchers are lightweight, compact, and foldable for easy storage. They can accommodate patients with limited mobility and are highly affordable, costing around ₹2500. The implementation ensures minimal disruption to existing vehicle operations.

2.     Driver Incentives and Engagement:

Drivers will receive standard fares from the patient or attendant, with double the earnings for medical transport rides, funded through CSR budgets or healthcare partnerships. Recognition programs, such as “Hero Driver” badges and public acknowledgments, will further motivate and reward participating drivers.

3.     CSR-Funded Implementation:

Ride-hailing companies will allocate CSR funds to cover higher driver fares and operational costs. Additional funding streams will be developed through partnerships with progressive companies, their CSR budgets, and NGOs, ensuring a sustainable and scalable model.

4.     App Integration for Emergency Requests:

Introducing an “Emergency Ride” feature within ride-hailing apps for non- ALS medical transport requests. This feature will prioritise ride dispatch, provide real-time tracking, and ensure faster response times for patients in need.

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Implementation Framework

Phase 1: Pilot Program Target Regions:

Pilot in high-need areas, including tier-2/3 cities.

• Stakeholder Collaboration: 

Partner with hospitals, NGOs and local governments.

• Driver Training and Rewards: 

Equip and train participating drivers to handle non-ambulatory emergency requests and stretchers.

• Legal and Compliance Framework: 

Address regulatory and compliance requirements, including licensing, insurance, liability, and local transport laws, to ensure smooth implementation and adherence to legal standards.

• Data Collection: 

Measure response times, patient outcomes, and driver feedback to refine the program.

Phase 2: Scaling Geographic Expansion:

Roll out the program to additional cities based on pilot learnings.

• Cost Sharing: 

Establish partnerships with CSR programs of participating companies for driver rewards.

• Public Awareness Campaigns: 

Promote the initiative to increase adoption among users and drivers.

Phase 3: Nationwide Rollout

• National Coverage: 

Expand to tier-1, tier-2, and tier-3 cities, integrating with Ayushman Bharat, if feasible and other public health initiatives.

• Driver Rewards Program: 

Implement long-term incentives to maintain driver engagement.

Phase 4: Optimisation

• Continuous Monitoring: 

Use data analytics to assess and improve system performance.

• Advanced Features: 

Equip vehicles with basic medical kits and train drivers in first aid.

• Policy Advocacy:

  Push for regulatory support to institutionalise the model as part of India’s EMS framework.

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Benefits and Impact

For Patients:

• Affordable, reliable, and faster access to medical transport.

• Improved healthcare accessibility in underserved areas.

For Ride-Hailing Companies:

• Enhanced corporate reputation as socially responsible organizations.

• Increased driver/rider retention through monetary and non-monetary incentives.

For the Government:

• Reduced burden on traditional ambulance services.

• Alignment with national health initiatives to achieve universal health coverage.

• Improved public health outcomes, in underserved regions.

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Call to Action

India’s vast geography and resource constraints demand innovative approaches to emergency medical transport. Integrating ride-hailing services into the EMS ecosystem is a practical, scalable, and life-saving solution. Policymakers, ride-hailing companies, and healthcare stakeholders must collaborate to implement this initiative, ensuring that no Indian is denied timely medical care due to transport challenges. By acting now, we can build a more equitable and efficient healthcare system for the future.