“There is an asset utilization problem in ambulances. The occupancy rate is very low.” While most private ambulances are under-utilized given their lack of standards, hospital ambulances are often stretched thin.

Samir Gokani, a doctor who runs Ambucare Cardiac Ambulance Services in Mumbai, attributes the problem with private operators and their lack of medical know-how. “They purchase a vehicle and take it to a workshop and the fabricator guides them on what kind of equipment they should have in the ambulance.” Ambucare, which has 12 ambulances, is on the Dial4242 network.