Emergency dispatch controversy in Poland after medical refusal

A 30-year-old man was hospitalized in a life-threatening condition after emergency dispatchers initially refused to send an ambulance. The patient, identified as Edward from Ząbki, suffered from tick-borne encephalitis.

According to reports, a friend called emergency services to describe the patient's severe symptoms, including high fever, difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness. The dispatcher allegedly refused the request, stating, “an ambulance is not transport for VIPs” and suggesting the patient reach a doctor via taxi or bus.

An ambulance was only dispatched following a subsequent call to the 112 emergency number and threats of legal action. Upon arrival at a hospital in Wołomin, the patient was assigned a red priority status due to the severity of his condition.