Introduction:
A significant problem faced by rural communities is difficulty in accessing hospitals during emergences. In many instances, absence of timely and quality medical support has proved to be fatal. Ambulance services were started by the Foundation to help in such emergencies.

The ambulance service was introduced in Rajam in 2003 and later started at Rajahmundry and Uttrakhand as well.

Objectives:
The main objective is that no sick person in identified GMRVF working areas should suffer for lack of emergency transport facilities.

Process:
The ambulance is meant for the poor community members who cannot afford to transport the patient from one Government Hospital to another. The request for the ambulance is based on the recommendation of the Doctor - for meeting an emergency or for better treatment facilities. It also caters to the general public in times of emergencies.

The area of operation of the ambulance is limited, geographically, to the region where GMR Group has its presence in terms of its businesses. The local Administrative Head of the Community Service Wing or his designate is in charge for the ambulance service.

The vehicle is made available at any time round the clock. Ambulance is generally used for emergency cases where the patient is required to be moved to a hospital without any loss of time like Heart attack, Accident cases (with prior information to Police OR with Police escort), gynecological cases etc. Each ambulance caters to 30-40 calls on an average per month.

Achievement/ strengths:

• The timely availability of a facility like ambulance service to take a person to a healthcare establishment makes the difference between life and death. There has been a steady increase in the number of people using the ambulance services.
• People’s participation at Uttarakhand in coordinating the functioning of the ambulance is very encouraging for the Foundation. Here the ambulance is also used to take people to health camps organized in other far away villages.