In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, the Maharashtra government has approved ₹89.48 crores for the purchase of 500 new ambulances in the state. Health Minister Rajesh Tope informed of the same, adding that an absence of ambulances was observed in the rural areas.
Out of the 500 ambulances, 253 will be provided for primary health centres, 137 to rural hospitals, 106 to district and sub-district hospitals and four to mental hospitals. Tope further stated that 500 new ambulances will be added in the current fiscal year along with 500 more in the coming year. He also asserted of the new ambulances being available in a month’s time.
In rural areas, old ambulances were operating year after year. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had earlier asserted the fulfilment of the budgetary promise with regards to new ambulances in the state budget for 2020-21.
The Health Minister accepting the state of the current ambulances admitted that the situation in the rural areas is being criticised at the moment. Therefore, he spoke of the decision undertaken by the government adding it will help strengthen the health infrastructure in the rural areas.
Tope, on July 22, had said that each ward in Mumbai will have five to 10 ambulances. He had further asked the citizens to not pay exorbitant prices for private services.
He had stated that the government ambulances will be coordinated by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Cooperation (BMC) helpline which is 1916 and the ward-level officials. Furthermore, he added that, at the moment, there are 500 ambulances available in the city of Mumbai, stating that 150 more will be made available.
Presently, there are 500 ambulances available. 50 more ambulances have been received from Mahindra & Mahindra Group, while 150 ambulances will be available soon. Therefore, 650 ambulances are touted to be available in Mumbai.
Tope also urged the residents of Mumbai to contact the corona-war room in the ward and register an ambulance which will make the service free to the residents.
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