The administration of MB Hospital is taking proactive steps to address complaints of arbitrary charging by private ambulances near its premises. A new Pre-paid Ambulance Facility is being established to prevent such instances of exploitation.

An online tender has been issued by the hospital administration to select the agency responsible for operating the Pre-paid Ambulance Facility. The contract will be awarded to the firm or private agency that deposits more than 2% of the total monthly income from ambulance rentals into the hospital's government account. The agency contributing the highest share will be entrusted with ambulance operations.

As per the plan, the contracted agency will have a separate cabin within the hospital premises. Employees of the agency will provide ambulance services to patients in need, charging rent based on kilometers and following specified rates set by the transportation department.

To ensure patient protection, a designated officer will be appointed by the hospital administration to oversee operations and prevent extortion from patients.

The tender, issued on March 12, requires applications by April 8, with the opening of tenders scheduled for April 9. Only agencies with a minimum of 20 ambulances will be eligible to participate, with insurance mandatory for both vehicles and drivers.

Records of ambulance bookings and driver's licence will be maintained in the Nursing Superintendent's office. The contracted agency will be permitted to have only two ambulances within the hospital premises at any given time. Patients will only be dropped off at addresses specified in OPD slips, in accordance with hospital regulations.

The initial tender period will be two years, with the possibility of extension as needed. The successful agency will also be required to maintain its own logbook, akin to government vehicles. 

Source: Dainik Bhaskar