13 July,2026 08:21 AM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar Menon
Motorcycle-borne first responders who are part of AMC’s emergency response network. The teams are trained to handle medical emergencies, assist hospitals and protect doctors during threats, mob violence and other hostile situations
The assault on a doctor at a KDMC-run hospital has again highlighted concerns over the safety of healthcare workers. But while demands for stricter laws continue, Mumbai doctors say they have spent last two decades building their own emergency response system to deal with violence.
The Association of Medical Consultants (AMC), which represents more than 16,000 doctors across Mumbai and MMR, says its 24x7 network provides motorcycle-based responders, ambulance support and legal protection to members and immediate families facing emergencies.
Abhay Singh, vice-president of Jeevan Ambulance Services Pvt Ltd, said the teams are trained first responders rather than private security guards.
File photo of a first responder assisting a senior citizen during a medical emergency at a housing society in Mumbai's western suburbs. The responders are trained to handle medical emergencies, CPR, fire response and crowd management. Pics/By Special Arrangement
"We do not call them bouncers or security personnel. They are our front-line first medical emergency responders," Singh said.
The responders are stationed across Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mira-Bhayandar and are trained in CPR, crowd management, fire response and handling hostile situations.
According to the association, trained responders can reach hospitals within eight to 10 minutes across large parts of Mumbai and neighbouring cities.
"Whenever a distress call is received, an alert is simultaneously sent to an AMC task force comprising doctors in the vicinity. Many of them immediately rush to support the affected colleague," said Dr Rajeev Agarwal, former AMC president.
AMC says it receives around 35 to 50 calls involving threats, intimidation, violence and medical emergencies every year, and claims the coordinated response has prevented more than 100 incidents from escalating.
Singh recalled a recent incident at a Thane nursing home where responders reached within minutes after relatives of a patient allegedly tried to intimidate a doctor following surgery.
AMC has also renewed its demand for stricter implementation of laws protecting healthcare workers, faster prosecution of attackers and tighter hospital security.
"If there is any allegation of professional wrongdoing, it should be investigated by the police, medical authorities or the courts. No individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands," Dr Agarwal said.
>> Doctor raises distress call
>> Motorcycle responder dispatched
>> Nearby AMC doctors alerted
>> Police informed
>> Situation brought under control
>> Handle mob situations
>> Protect doctors during threats
>> Assist in medical emergencies
>> Perform CPR
>> Coordinate with police
>> Respond to fire emergencies
>> 16,000+ doctors represented by AMC
>> 20+ years of the emergency network
>> 8-10 min average response time
>> 35-50 emergency calls every year
>> 100+ violent incidents allegedly prevented
>> Fast-track prosecution
>> Immediate arrests in assault cases
>> Strict implementation of the doctors' protection law
>> CCTV coverage
>> Controlled visitor entry
>> Zero tolerance towards violence
