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Your 995 call might be delaying help for someone in need: When is it really an emergency?
Non-life-threatening medical emergency 995 calls reduce the availability of emergency ambulances meant for life-threatening conditions like heart attacks, strokes and accidents. Learn the difference between urgent care and life-threatening emergencies to help save lives
Knowing when to dial 995 can ensure that emergency resources are available for those in life-threatening medical situations.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
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In an emergency, calling 995 can mean the difference between life and death.
But many Singaporeans still dial the same number in non-urgent situations – from the common cold to a twisted ankle.
Last year’s statistics report released by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) showed that it received 245,279 emergency medical calls in 2024, an average of 672 calls daily.
Of these, nearly five per cent or 10,728 of the calls were non-emergencies, a slight uptick compared with the previous year.
Responding to non-emergency medical calls diverts critical resources – ambulances, paramedics and medical supplies – away from those who need urgent help. And when someone has suffered a cardiac arrest, for example, every second counts.
By knowing and using the available healthcare services appropriately, we can ensure that emergency resources are available for those who truly need them – which is why knowing what counts as an emergency is so important.
Test your knowledge in this interactive game to find out when you really need to call 995.
When in doubt, pause before calling
Dial 995 only in serious, life-threatening medical situations where urgent medical attention is required. For mild to moderate conditions, such as coughs, colds, fevers or minor injuries, you should go to a general practitioner or a nearby polyclinic.
If you are uncertain about whether your symptoms require emergency care, you can call the NurseFirst helpline (6262 6262) to receive advice from trained healthcare professionals. They will help assess your symptoms and give advice on the next step.
It is also helpful to equip yourself with basic first aid skills, as this knowledge can empower you to handle minor injuries safely while waiting for medical help, or even prevent unnecessary emergency calls.
Learning when to call and when not to call an ambulance might seem like a trivial matter, but it could be a matter of life and death to someone else.
