India, Nov. 21 -- LUCKNOW Emergency healthcare in Uttar Pradesh took a hit after the SMS-based communication system of the state's 108 and 102 ambulance services stopped functioning for the past two days. The disruption severely affected the ability of ambulances to reach patients on time and complete hospital transfers efficiently.

According to EMRI Green Health Services, the operator of both ambulance networks, the automated SMS alerts to callers stopped abruptly at 5pm on November 19.

The organisation alleged that "anti-social elements" intentionally disrupted the SMS system, causing "operational paralysis and potentially damaging the reputation of the organisation and the UP government."

Rajkamal Rai, HR head of the organisation, f...