Taking a serious note of the reports of private ambulancesovercharging Covid-19 patients, Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori on Saturdayfixed the rates for private ambulances in the district to ease patients.
Divulging the details, the deputy commissioner said that thecharges for ambulance vans applicable in the district are a minimum of Rs 1200for the first 15km and an additional Rs 12 per km for additional travel in BLSambulances up to 2000 cc with basic life support. Similarly, for an ambulanceabove 2000 cc, minimum of Rs 1500 for the first 15km and an additional Rs 15per km for additional travel, and an ambulance equipped with advanced cardiaclife-support, the fixed fare will be Rs 2,000 for the first 15km, and anadditional Rs 20 per km for additional travel. He further added that if anambulance drops a Covid-19 patient within the city up to 10 km, the charges ofRs. 1000 would be charged followed by Rs. 600 and 800 up to 10 km forambulances below and above 2000 cc respectively.
The district administration has also set another set ofinstructions for the ambulances including the availability of face masks,gloves, and PPE kits for the attendants at their (customers’) expense,hospitals are allowed to charge Rs. 1500 in case of sending paramedics inventilator-ambulances, ambulances would not claim additional charges for oxygengas, and oxygen plant owners were directed to fill oxygen cylinders inambulances on a priority basis and at controlled prices.
The DC said that strict action would be taken against thosewho charge more than the fixed prices from the Covid-19 patients leading to theregistration of cases under the Epidemic Act. He said that anyone can contactcontrol room no 0181-2224417, 5073123 in case of any difficulty or complaintagainst the ambulance.