Ambulance services play a critical role in providing emergency medical assistance to people in need. In India, two of the most well-known ambulance services are the 102 and 108 ambulance services. Both of these services have a primary objective of providing immediate medical assistance and transporting patients to the nearest hospital. However, there are many differences between both of the services. In this blog, we will discuss the difference between 102 and 108 ambulance services.
What are 102 and 108 ambulance services?
The 102 ambulance service is also known as the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK). It is an initiative by the Indian government to provide free ambulance services to pregnant women, infants and children up to the age of five years. The service is available 24/7 and the ambulance is equipped with basic life support equipment. On the other hand, the 108 ambulance service is a comprehensive emergency service provided by Emergency Management Research Institute (EMRI) in collaboration with the State Government. The service is available 24/7 and the ambulance is equipped with advanced life support equipment. The service caters to all medical emergencies and is accessible to people across all age groups.
Difference between 102 and 108 ambulance services
Here are 5 major differences between 102 and 108 ambulance services:
1- Funding and ownership: The 102 ambulance service is fully funded by the Indian government, while the 108 ambulance service is funded by the state government and managed by EMRI.
2- Fleet and equipment: The 102 ambulance service uses basic life support ambulances, which are equipped with oxygen cylinders, first aid kits and other essential medical equipment. In contrast, the 108 ambulance service uses advanced life support ambulances, which are equipped with defibrillators, ventilators, cardiac monitors and other advanced medical equipment.
3- Response times: Both services aim to reach the patient as quickly as possible. The 102 ambulance service typically has a response time of 20-25 minutes, while the 108 ambulance service aims to respond within 10-15 minutes.
4- Services provided: The 102 ambulance service primarily caters to pregnant women, infants and children. They provide basic medical assistance and transport patients to the nearest hospital. The 108 ambulance service caters to all medical emergencies and provides advanced medical assistance. In some cases, they can provide on-site medical assistance and transport patients to specialized hospitals if needed.
5- Cost and accessibility: The 102 ambulance service is free of cost, while the 108 ambulance service has a nominal fee. The 102 ambulance service is primarily available in rural areas, while the 108 ambulance service is available across both rural and urban areas.
Drawbacks of 102 and 108 ambulance services:
Here are some potential drawbacks of 102 and 108 ambulance services:
- Delayed response time: While both 102 and 108 ambulance services strive to reach patients as quickly as possible, there have been instances where delays have occurred due to traffic or other logistical issues.
- Limited services: The 102 ambulance service is primarily focused on providing medical assistance to pregnant women, infants and children, while the 108 ambulance service may not be equipped to handle specialized medical cases.
- Limited accessibility: The 102 ambulance service is primarily operated in rural and underserved areas, while the required number of 108 ambulances may not be available in all regions.
Advantages of choosing MedCab over 102/108 Ambulance Service
MedCab is a professional ambulance service provider that offers a range of services to patients who require medical assistance. Here are some reasons why you may choose MedCab over the 102/108 ambulance service:
- Ambulance booking within 1 minute: MedCab allows you to book an ambulance within one minute using its user-friendly mobile app or website. You can book an ambulance with just a few taps on your phone or clicks on your computer.
- 24/7 availability: MedCab operates 24/7 and is available for emergency as well as non-emergency medical transportation. You can access our services anytime you need them, day or night.
- Fast response time: MedCab has a fleet of ambulances stationed across different locations, which helps us provide a fast response time to people in need. We use advanced technology to track and monitor our ambulances, ensuring the quickest response time possible.
- Various types of ambulances: MedCab offers a range of ambulances, including basic life support, advanced life support, medical first responder, patient transport, ICU ambulance, air ambulance, water ambulance, train ambulance, etc. We also have specialized equipment and trained staff to handle various medical emergencies.
- Affordable Pricing: MedCab offers affordable pricing for its services, with transparent billing and no hidden costs. We also offer different packages to cater to different medical needs and budgets.
- GPS-enabled: MedCab's ambulances are GPS-enabled, which means that you can track the live location of your ambulance at any time. This helps you keep track of the ambulance's progress and know when it will reach your location.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the 102 and 108 ambulance services have been providing valuable medical assistance to patients in need, especially in rural areas. Despite the difference between the 102 and 108 services, these services have helped save countless lives by providing timely medical care to patients. However, with the advancement of technology and the increasing demand for reliable ambulance services, MedCab has stepped up to provide a more comprehensive and efficient service. MedCab's fast response time, 24/7 availability, GPS-enabled tracking and affordable pricing make it a viable alternative to the 108/102 ambulance service. Additionally, MedCab's range of specialized ambulances and trained staff allows us to handle various medical emergencies, including critical care situations. So, choose an ambulance service wisely!
