Jammu and Kashmir High Court calls for mechanism to ensure hassle free movement of ambulances

The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh recently directed the administration of the two Union Territories to develop a mechanism in consultation with the Health department to ensure the hassle free movement of patient-care ambulances [White Globe v/s State of Jammu and Kashmir and Others]..A Bench Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Puneet Gupta issued the directive while closing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by a trust named White Globe which had called for setting up a comprehensive standard operating system (SOP) in the matter. In an October 23 order, the Court noted that the issue has largely been addressed by various government departments in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh. Such steps included an SOP issued by Senior Superintendent of Police, Traffic, Srinagar titled Standing Operating Procedure for free passage to ambulances.The Court, therefore, observed that there is no need to keep the PIL pending but called for the formulation of a mechanism to promote hassle-free ambulance movement in the two Union Territories. "Accordingly, there is no need to keep the present petition pending and the same is disposed of by directing the Chief Secretaries and DGPs of both the Union Territories to develop a mechanism, in consultation with the health department, aimed at hassle free movement of the ambulances in both UTs Territories while keeping in view the order of the Sr. Supdt. Of Police, Traffic, City Srinagar," reads the order. .The PIL was filed in 2018 and called for the upgradation of basic structures of the ambulance as per European standards and proper coordination between different government departments, particularly the traffic and health departments, for the hassle-free passage of ambulances..In April 2023, the High Court appointed the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir as a nodal officer and directed him to file a comprehensive affidavit addressing the issues flagged by the plea. The Divisional Commissioner filed his affidavit on February 22 this year after getting inputs from various departments.The affidavit disclosed various steps taken by the administration in J&K and Ladakh, including the National Health Mission's launch of an initiative dubbed "J&K Emergency Medical Services" through Public Private Partnership mode in 2020. The Court was further told that there were 71 Advanced Life Support Ambulances (ALS) and that Emergency Medical Services (EMS) included services through 46 ALS and 31 Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances that were fully equipped with life saving equipment and drugs, in line with the National Ambulance Code. These services can be availed by public through the use of a toll-free number, 108, the Court was told. This fleet was also GPS-enabled, it was submitted. The government added that these ambulances are monitored so that old ambulances that have exhausted their useful lives are removed from the active ambulance fleet. Those ambulances that do no meet the requirements of the National Ambulance Code are denied fitness certificates, the Court was informed. The Srinagar Traffic Police Office has also established a dedicated, 24x7 Control Room wherein citizens can get real time assistance on traffic movement, the government added. Taking note of these measures, the Court proceeded to dispose of the PIL. .Senior Additional Advocate General (AAG) Mohsin S. Qadri with assisting counsel Maha Majeed and Government Advocate Illyas Nazir Laway appeared for the Jammu and Kashmir government authorities..[Read Order]