The telephone number for national ambulance service in India is?

Appeared in: Tripura CHO - 2021

Explanation

The number 108 is the nationwide toll-free number for a centralized emergency response service, handling medical, police, and fire emergencies.
The number 102 is a dedicated ambulance service, primarily for transporting pregnant women and sick infants to healthcare facilities under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK).
Together, 108 and 102 cover the main ambulance services available to the public in India for both emergency and non-emergency patient transport.

Option B: This option is incorrect because 100 is the helpline number for the police, not for ambulance services.
Option C: This option is incorrect because 100 is the helpline number for the police. While 102 is an ambulance service, the combination is wrong.
Option D: This option is incorrect because 100 is the police helpline, and 110 is not a standard emergency number for ambulance services in India.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Emergency Helpline Numbers in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Knowing the correct emergency numbers is a fundamental responsibility for nurses to guide patients, families, and the community in accessing timely medical care.
Nurses should educate patients, especially in rural and community settings, about the difference between the 108 (emergency) and 102 (maternal/child transport) services to ensure appropriate use.
What if? If a patient is in a state where the integrated number 112 is fully functional, calling 112 would be the most efficient way to access a coordinated response from police, fire, and ambulance services simultaneously.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core question: It asks for the telephone numbers for ambulance services in India.
Recall or look for the most common emergency numbers. The number 108 is widely advertised for general emergencies.
Consider the specific types of ambulance services. The 102 service is also a well-known government initiative for maternal and child health.
Evaluate the options based on this knowledge. The combination of 108 and 102 represents the two primary ambulance-related helplines.
Eliminate options containing incorrect numbers, such as 100 (Police) or 110 (not a standard emergency number).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart C (pp 404-604 of 604) p. 134-136

E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health NursingShyamala D part 1 (pp 26-389 of 389) p. 337-339

Practise the full Tripura CHO - 2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.