The meaning of an ambulance is defined by, Lexico by Oxford – “a vehicle equipped for taking sick or injured people to and from hospital, especially in emergencies.” Rightly so, the first word that comes to mind in an emergency is ‘ambulance’. First aid and life-saving happens in the critical few minutes after an accident. Medical transportation service is imperative during these times. However, there is a long-distance ambulance transport  utility. This is useful in remote areas, that do not have access to major hospitals but just preliminary clinics and small hospitals.

Ambulance travel is not just for emergencies. There are non-emergency ambulance services that facilitate easier and effective travel for seniors and other individuals who cannot reach hospitals in conventional modes of transport. The comfort and safety of the patient is ensured, helping avoid hassles while on general reviews and check-up. Furthermore, the prospect of not having to struggle can induce the patient to co-operate on such visits.

It is not always the ‘to’ factor that is considered. Getting back home after being discharged from the hospital is another scenario where ambulances secure a hassle-free experience. It is faster, safer and reduces travelling time, enhancing the morale of the concerned individual and the family. Assistance made available in shifting the patient comfortably to his/her home is crucial. It brings down the challenges not only for the patient but also the family.

The benefit and more importantly, necessity of an ambulance has been proven in real time. A Hindu news article dated 2^nd September 2019, established this fact.  A 16-year-old was transported over 350 kms in 5 hours, from Ramanathapuram to JIPMER Pondicherry. The rush to emergency surgery was made possible though the combined efforts of through different WhatsApp Groups, who helped in clearing the way forward for the ambulance. The groups involved in this commendable effort were TMMK (Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam) Ambulance Service, NH-45 Taxi Operators and Karaikal Poraligal.

The above-mentioned incident proves how well-connected ambulances can have a major impact on the extent on healthcare received by the needy. Ambulance for medical travel is reforming the standards of the healthcare sector. Long distance travel  is a factor that plays an important role in determining the outcome of healthcare. Nowadays, ambulances have taken many methods of transporting individuals.  One such mode is the bike ambulance. The bike ambulances introduce can drastically reduce the time of transport to a hospital, improving the chances of recovery or even preventing causalities. Air-lifts, similarly, come in very important in times of battling crises. Be it by land, water or sea, the emergency and non-emergency utility of an ambulance is invaluable.

With growth and development come challenges. Healthcare challenges and disorders are on the rise. More sophisticated care and treatments are the need of the hour. Not all vicinities may support the growth of advanced treatment centres or hospitals. It is in these cases that long distance commute is absolutely essential. Specifically, in the instances where the patient does not possess sufficient dexterity and physical ability to travel the distance in a car. Traffic control is easier to manage and makes the process a little easy-going on the patients.