Ambulance Services in Hyderabad — for Cancer Patients
Getting to hospital in a cancer emergency is one of those things you hope you will never need to think about — and need to know immediately when you do. Here is what is available in Hyderabad, what it costs, and when each option is the right choice.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026
- 108 is free — The government 108 ambulance service costs nothing and is available 24 hours a day across Hyderabad and Telangana.
- Private options exist — Private ambulances cover planned transfers between hospitals and situations that need specialist equipment in transit.
- Know before you need it — Having a plan before an emergency makes a frightening moment easier to manage for the whole family.
- Most CION visits are day care — Most chemotherapy at CION is given as day care, so patients arrange their own transport — but knowing your options matters.
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In Hyderabad, the 108 ambulance is free, runs 24 hours, and covers the whole city. Dial 108 from any phone for a medical emergency. Private ambulances are available for planned transfers between hospitals or for situations that need a dedicated vehicle but are not immediate emergencies.
Is the 108 ambulance really free, and how quickly does it come?
Yes. The 108 Emergency Response Service is a government-funded ambulance that costs nothing to use. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, across Hyderabad and Telangana.
Response times vary by location and how busy the service is at that moment. In a genuine emergency — severe breathlessness, collapse, uncontrolled bleeding, or high fever with confusion — dial 108 immediately and do not wait to see if things improve.
The 108 service carries trained emergency medical technicians and basic life-support equipment. It is designed for emergencies, not for routine transfers to a clinic or a scheduled appointment.
What should you have ready when you call 108?
- Your location as precisely as possibleA landmark, building name, or live pin from a maps app helps the dispatcher route the nearest available ambulance to you.
- The patient's name and ageThe operator will ask. Having it ready lets you focus on answering the rest of their questions clearly.
- A brief description of what is happeningIs the patient conscious? Breathing? In pain? One or two clear sentences is enough — do not worry about medical terms.
- A list of current medicinesA printed medicine list or a photo of the prescription on your phone is ideal. Hand it to the crew when they arrive.
- The name of the treating oncologist and hospitalThis helps the crew decide where to take the patient if you are not already heading to a specific centre.
- Someone to meet the ambulance at the entranceSend a family member to the gate or ground floor so the crew does not lose time finding you inside a building.
Where to find us
Our centres in and around Hyderabad
Addressed by landmark, because that is how this city navigates. Each centre also names the areas it serves, so you can place it without a map. Consultation and day-care Chemotherapy run at every one of them.
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35+ centres, so most treatment does not mean relocating to a metro.
When should you arrange a private ambulance instead?
Private ambulances are suited to planned situations: moving a patient from one hospital to another, returning home after a long admission, or travelling to a treatment centre in another city. They can also carry advanced equipment such as ventilators for patients who need close monitoring throughout the journey.
Cost varies by distance, the type of vehicle, and whether advanced life-support equipment is needed. Costs are indicative and change frequently — ask for a written estimate before agreeing, and ask the treating team if they can suggest reliable local providers.
For most routine chemotherapy visits, patients make their own way to the centre. If you are worried about the journey home after treatment — because of fatigue, nausea, or a long distance — tell your team before the appointment rather than after.
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Still not sure what applies to you?
Send your reports across and a senior medical oncologist will go through what they mean, what is known, and what the options actually are.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use 108 to get to a regular chemotherapy appointment?
No. The 108 service is for medical emergencies — situations where a patient needs immediate care and cannot safely travel by car or auto. Using it for a scheduled appointment takes a vehicle away from someone who needs it urgently. For planned visits, arrange a cab, a family member's vehicle, or ask your centre whether any transport assistance is available locally. If you are unsure whether what you are experiencing on the day of treatment counts as an emergency, call your oncology team first and let them advise you.
What is the cost of a private ambulance in Hyderabad?
Private ambulance costs vary considerably depending on the distance, the level of equipment in the vehicle, and whether a paramedic or nurse accompanies the patient. Rates are not uniformly regulated and change over time, so any figure given here would quickly become unreliable. Ask the provider for a written quote that clearly states what is included. If cost is a concern, speak to your oncology team — some situations that seem to need a private ambulance can be managed more simply with better planning and timing.
What if 108 is taking too long in a real emergency?
If the patient is deteriorating and the ambulance has not arrived, do not wait. If you have access to a car, begin driving to the nearest emergency department and call ahead to say you are coming. Keep the 108 dispatcher on the line if possible — they can update you on the vehicle's location and talk you through anything while you wait. Government hospitals in Hyderabad have 24-hour emergency departments that are obliged to provide initial stabilisation regardless of where the patient usually receives cancer treatment.
Can 108 transport a cancer patient who has an IV line or needs oxygen?
The 108 service carries oxygen and basic life-support equipment, and the crew can manage an active IV line during the journey. What it cannot provide is the level of monitoring available in a hospital-grade intensive care transport vehicle. If your oncologist has said the patient needs close observation during the transfer — for example, after a serious complication such as sepsis or a significant bleed — a specialised private ambulance with a paramedic or nurse on board is the more appropriate choice. Discuss the transfer plan with the treating team before the patient is moved.
How do I arrange transport when a patient is being discharged from hospital?
Most discharges do not need an ambulance — a car is usually fine once the team has confirmed the patient is well enough to leave. If the patient needs to continue receiving oxygen or IV fluids during the journey, or is being discharged after a serious complication, ask the treating team whether a medical vehicle is necessary. If it is, they will help arrange it. For long transfers home after treatment, ask the ward staff the day before discharge so there is time to organise it without last-minute pressure.
Is there an ambulance available through CION?
CION centres provide chemotherapy and cancer care as day care — most patients arrive and leave under their own arrangements. CION does not operate an ambulance fleet. If you experience a medical emergency while at a CION centre, the clinical team will call 108 and manage your care until the ambulance arrives. If you want advice on transport options before starting treatment, ask at your centre — the team can point you toward local options based on where you are travelling from.
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