108 services to continue in Himachal

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, July 14

The government today assured GVK EMRI, operating the emergency ambulance services, of settling their pending issues soon after the company had threatened to discontinue its services from tomorrow.

At a time when the number of Covid-19 cases is mounting, the move to discontinue services will have crippled the delivery of emergency health services. No time-frame has, however, been communicated by the government to resolve the financial issues.

As many as 1,135 employees, including 588 drivers, 46 support staffers, 29 call centre executives and 464 emergency medical technicians, had been given termination notices from July 15.

Company media manager Abhishek Bangalia confirmed that the company had decided to continue its services after the assurance from the government this evening.

The government had signed an MoU with GVK EMRI to provide services for which infrastructure was also created. Problems like lack of funds have been plaguing these services for several years owing to which a large chunk of ambulances was in a dilapidated state.

Rakesh Negi, company HR head, said MD, National Health Mission, and the Additional Chief Secretary had been informed about the company’s decision on June 29 in view of the mounting losses. 

108 services to continue