**Summary:**
In response to a question regarding the integration of ambulance service numbers (102, 108, and others) into the unified emergency number 112, as mandated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) stated the following. The MoHFW provides technical and financial support to States and Union Territories (UTs) to strengthen National Ambulance Services. However, public health and hospitals are state subjects, and the primary responsibility for strengthening public healthcare systems, including ambulance services, lies with the respective State/UT governments, including the maintenance of call centers for 102 and 108. The MHA issued Nationwide Emergency Response System (NERS) Guidelines in August 2015, which mandate the integration of services like fire, medical, and helplines with the 112 system. The Department of Telecommunication issued instructions on August 20, 2020, to all service providers regarding the implementation of a single emergency number-based Emergency Response Support System, ensuring that the single emergency number 112 is accessible via STD, allowing individuals outside a state to call the state's 112 service for assistance. There was no deadline information provided in the text.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for health policy in India. It provides technical and financial support to States/UTs for strengthening the National Ambulance Services.
National Health Mission (NHM): A centrally sponsored scheme of the Government of India to address the health needs of under-served rural areas. This policy document discusses ambulances under NHM.
Ms. Praniti Sushilkumar Shinde: Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) who raised the question regarding integration of ambulance numbers.
Shri Prataprao Jadhav: Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare who provided the answer to the parliamentary question.
102: One of the ambulance service numbers in India that the query concerns integrating into the 112 system. Call centers for 102 are maintained by State/UT Governments.
108: Another ambulance service number in India that the query concerns integrating into the 112 system. Call centers for 108 are maintained by State/UT Governments.
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): The Indian government ministry that issued the Nationwide Emergency Response System (NERS) Guidelines in August 2015 mandating integration of emergency services with the 112 system.
Nationwide Emergency Response System (NERS): The system which includes guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs in August 2015, mandating integration of emergency services like fire, medical, and helplines with the 112 system.
GOVERNMENT OFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENT OFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 2183
TOBE ANSWERED ON1STAUGUST,2025
AMBULANCES UNDER NHM
2183.MS.PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE:
Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate:
(a) whether the Government has issued any direction to integrate all ambulance numbers like 102,
108andothersinto112 asmandatedbythe Ministry of Home Affairs;
(b) if so, the detailsthereofand if not,the reasons therefor; and
(c) the deadline fixed for all Central and State Government agencies tointegrate emergency response
numbersto112?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATEIN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTHAND FAMILY
WELFARE
(SHRI PRATAPRAOJADHAV)
(a) to (c): The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to
States/UTs for stregthening the National Ambulance Services across the nation. “Public Health and
Hospitals” is State subject, the primary resposibility of stregthening public healthcare system,
including efforts to have required number of ambulances ensuring their functionality and
operationality lies with the respective State/UT Governments. Call centres for 102 and 108 are
maintainedbyState/UTGovernments.
The Minsitry of Home Affairs(MHA) issued the Nationwide Emergency Response System
(NERS) Guidelines in August 2015, which include a clear mandate that “other services like fire,
medical, and helplines are to be integrated with the ‘112’ system”. Further, Department of
Telecommunication vide their letter dated 20.8.2020 issued instruction to all service providers
regarding implementationof single number based Emergency Response Support Systemthat “Single
Emergency Number ‘112’ shall be accessible onSTDalso which will allowa person staying outside
the Statetocall the State112 for seeking assistance for anotherperson indistress inthe state.
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