2 hrs ago
New 108 Ambulance Fleet Set for Kerala Roads This Month
Kerala is preparing 335 new ambulances for use across the state.
Officials expect them to start operating by the end of September.
The ambulances are currently being equipped in Thiruvananthapuram.
Most are basic ambulances, while some have ventilators or special equipment for newborn babies.
The new vehicles are meant to replace older ambulances.
The health minister said final clearance is still needed before release.
Some driver groups plan to protest over salary bonuses.
The government said protests must not stop ambulances from carrying patients.
A new fleet of 335 108 ambulances is expected to reach roads across Kerala by the end of September.
The vehicles are being fitted with life-saving equipment in Thiruvananthapuram and await final clearance.
The fleet includes 315 basic life support, 14 advanced life support and six neonatal ambulances.
Health Minister K Muraleedharan said the new vehicles will replace the ageing 108 ambulance fleet.
Drivers’ associations plan to protest from September 17 over salary-bonus issues, while the government warned against disrupting ambulance operations.
- Who
- Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan, the ambulance operating agency, drivers’ associations and the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited are involved.
- What
- A new fleet of 335 108 ambulances is scheduled to be deployed across Kerala.
- Where
- The ambulances will operate across Kerala and are currently being equipped in Thiruvananthapuram.
- When
- The fleet is expected to be released by the end of September; drivers’ associations have announced a protest from September 17.
- Why
- The fleet is intended to replace ageing ambulances, while delays have been attributed by the minister to alleged lapses by the operating agency and pending clearances.
Government position
Drivers’ associations and operating agency dispute
Cause of the rollout delay
Government position
Health Minister K Muraleedharan alleged that lapses by the agency operating the ambulance service contributed to the delay and said final clearance was pending.
Drivers’ associations and operating agency dispute
The operating agency’s position is not stated in the reports; drivers’ associations are separately disputing issues related to salary-bonus disbursement.
Planned protest and ambulance operations
Government position
The government said protests must not block ambulances carrying patients and warned that strict action would be taken against anyone disrupting operations.
Drivers’ associations and operating agency dispute
Drivers’ associations have announced a protest from September 17 against the operating agency over salary-bonus issues.
Responsibility for resolving the dispute
Government position
Muraleedharan said the government had no role in resolving disputes between drivers and the company operating the service.
Drivers’ associations and operating agency dispute
The drivers’ associations are directing their protest at the operating agency, but the reports do not provide the agency’s response.
Key facts
- Fleet size
- 335 ambulances
- Basic life support units
- 315
- Advanced life support units
- 14, equipped with ventilators
- Neonatal ambulances
- 6, for newborn care
- Expected rollout
- By the end of September
- Service access
- Dial 108 across Kerala
- Supervising agency
- Kerala Medical Services Corporation Limited
Quotes
K Muraleedharan
Kerala Health Minister
“One thing has been made clear: strict action will be taken by the government against anyone who blocks vehicles carrying patients. Protests should not be staged by stopping 108 ambulances. The government will put mechanisms in place to ensure they remain operational.”
deccanchronicle.com
theprint.in
“None of this means any organisation will be allowed to disrupt the operation of 108 ambulances, regardless of which party they belong to.”
deccanchronicle.com
theprint.in
Sources
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