5G, geo-tracking, AI and IoT to bolster India Emergency Medical Services

Bengaluru, August 11, 2022 :

Geo-tracking, 5G, AI (artificial intelligence) & IoT (internet of things) will further strengthen Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in India. The digital revolution and mobile-first technology have altered storage of information, its processing and communication, said Pranav Bajaj, co- founder, Medulance.

Integration of tech-enabled solutions started long back, but its wide-scale adoption gained momentum during the pandemic. More than hardware, the focus is on developing software solutions. Primarily, AI, IoT, 5G, and geo-tracking technologies are making tremendous strides in the EMS ecosystem, he added.

Earlier, the EMS faced complex problems like time-consuming ePCR reports (electronic Patient Care Reports), handover delays, and gaps in sharing patient data. However, tech-based solutions are bringing the much-needed transformation. But now applications supported by emerging technologies and wireless networks are the frontrunners in relaying information to healthcare providers in times of emergencies, Bajaj told Pharmabiz.

The digital healthcare market valued at Rs. 252.92 billion in FY 2021 is expected to witness multi-fold growth reaching Rs. 882.79 billion by FY 2027.

New-age technologies are redefining the emergency response services in the country. In medical emergencies, paramedics and EMTs need to communicate with patients, medical practitioners, and hospitals and understand the condition for timely action. Purpose-built tools, for instance, mobile phone applications, allow them to do just that. said the Medulance co-founder. 

It not only reduces response time but is truly essential in saving lives, especially during the golden hour. For example, patients can quickly find and seek help from EMS-dedicated platforms during a medical emergency. Building a robust communication network with advanced tech-enabled solutions is the way forward to bolster the EMS in India and globally, he noted.

During a patient’s transport, ineffective communication is a leading cause of medical errors. Ambulances and a paramedics team as a stand-alone service are insufficient. There is a need for to offer real-time patient data during transporting. In addition, EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) can leverage ambulance cameras and body cams to give real-time pre-hospital care and even outside-hospital care. Introducing 5G connected ambulances in India is a step towards strengthening the national EMS system.


The AIIMS survey report, indicates that delay in emergency care across India results in a 30% mortality rate.  To resolve this, emergency medical services have started adopting new-age technology platforms to reach patients on time.

Geo-tracking platforms that help locate patients even in areas with almost zero network range. IoT and AI-based applications like Traffitizer- Emergency Response System (T-ERS) have been supporting the EMS ecosystem by combating traffic. In the case of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, reduced response time can improve the chances of survival by 24%. It is the need of the hour to reduce emergency response time to save lives.

By using these futuristic technologies, ambulances may now be assigned to the patient from the closest location, making the entire procedure speedier, traceable, and trackable. This is another crucial function that digitization has enabled, said Bajaj.

In India, only equipping the emergency care ecosystem with technology can rule out delays, improve patient recovery, and streamline pre-hospital, out-of-hospital, and in-hospital treatments, he said. Pharmabiz