Delhi to have 20 geriatric ambulances to boost emergency care for elderly

The Delhi government will soon roll out 20 advanced geriatric ambulances to strengthen emergency healthcare services for senior citizens, Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said.

The minister said the new ambulances, specially designed for elderly patients, will be equipped with modern medical facilities to improve response time and provide enhanced pre-hospital care across the city.

As per an official statement, at present, the Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS) operates 331 ambulances through its centralised control room linked to the emergency helpline 102, integrated with the 112 Emergency Response Support System (ERSS).

With the addition of the 20 geriatric ambulances, the total fleet strength will increase to 351, significantly enhancing the capital’s emergency response capacity, it said.

The government also plans a phased expansion of the ambulance fleet to 1,000 vehicles to build a more robust emergency response network, it added.

Singh said ensuring timely and dignified healthcare for senior citizens remains a priority, adding that the initiative reflects the government’s focus on making healthcare more inclusive and responsive.

He said the expansion of ambulance services is being complemented by efforts to strengthen hospital infrastructure and upgrade critical care facilities under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

The move is part of the government’s broader push to improve healthcare accessibility and responsiveness, backed by a budgetary allocation of Rs 13,034 crore for the health sector.

The statement said integrating advanced emergency services with improved healthcare infrastructure will help build a more efficient and patient-centric system, with special emphasis on the well-being of senior citizens.