Gujarat's two boat ambulances handled 777 emergencies, 46% pregnancy-related

Gujarat's two boat ambulances, part of the state's 108 Emergency Response Service, handled 777 medical emergencies between April 2018 and September 2026, according to an IANS report from Gandhinagar. Pregnancy-related complications made up nearly 46 per cent of the cases.

Key figures reported

• One boat is based at Okha in Devbhumi Dwarka district and the other at Porbandar.
• The Okha unit handled 720 cases (about 92.7 per cent); Porbandar handled 57.
• Pregnancy-related emergencies: 355 cases (350 at Okha, 5 at Porbandar).
• Severe abdominal pain: 105 cases.
• Non-vehicular trauma such as injuries on fishing vessels, docks and coastal areas: 83 cases.
• Cardiac emergencies: 82 cases.

Officials said most pregnancy cases involved residents of Beyt Dwarka, which earlier lacked road connectivity. The service provides pre-hospital care and transfers for island residents, remote coastal villages and offshore fishing crews.

State Health Minister Praful Pansheriya said the government is committed to extending healthcare to remote areas, including by water.

Why it matters for ambulance owners and drivers

The figures show that emergency transport is no longer limited to roads, and that maternity transfers form a large share of demand in hard-to-reach areas.