Team Herald
PANJIM: State government has capped the fares of ambulances and Hearse Vans to relieve people from exorbitant rates being charged by the private ambulances for providing service to the COVID-19 patients
These capped rates of ambulances will be all inclusive, including charges for oxygen, all ambulance equipment, PPE kit, gloves, mask, shield, sanitization, driver, EMT, doctor etc.
“The capped charges are final charges and the operator is not allowed to charge under whatsoever other charges for services rendered. Strict action will be taken on Private Ambulance/Hearse Van Driver/Service Provider/Operator/Owner if order not followed,” the order issued by Additional Secretary Health Vikas Gaunekar reads.
The order stated that it has come to notice that some private ambulance drivers/service providers are charging exorbitant rates in the state during the COVID-19 pandemic for transporting patients, which is a matter of serious concern.
The Government has warned to cancel or suspend the driving license or registration certificate of the vehicles if found violating the order.
The issue of exorbitant charges by the ambulances was heard by the High Court during its recent hearing on COVID mismanagement. The Court had said that one cannot make profit out of such crisis and had directed the State to deal with the issue seriously.
