Poor ambulance service irks minister

Our Correspondent

Palampur, February 19

Health Minister Vipin Singh Parmar today inspected ambulance services 102 and 108 being provided to the state government by a private company. He stopped various ambulances going to different hospitals between Shimla and Palampur and met with the patients and ambulance staff.

He said he was shocked to see the sorry state of affairs of these ambulances as they lacked basic necessities such as oxygen cylinders, first-aid boxes and stretchers. Besides, the vehicles were found to be in unhygienic condition. Most of the ambulances had lived their life and needed immediate replacement.

He said the state government had been paying crores of rupees every year to the private company and the company was bound to provide quality healthcare. Parmar said he had ordered an inquiry with specific directions to the Principal Secretary, Health.

“I will look into the matter if needed and the government will not hesitate to cancel the agreement with the company or impose penalties,” he said.