Patients being fleeced under pretext of providing service

Nagpur, Mar 6

The Ambulance services has been conceptualised on the ‘No Profit, No Loss’ basis, but most of the private operators have ‘commercialised’ the services and are charging much more than the pre-decided or fixed rate by RTO. It has become extremely painful for people in need to take their loved ones from home to hospital and from hospital to home. While the Regional Transport Office (RTO) has fixed a rate of `400 for 25 km, the fare is being tripled and the authorities are turing deaf towards this.

The Regional Transport Office (RTO) has registered 891 ambulances; but the picture is that the majority of ambulances are doing business in the name of service. Many people have recently started providing ambulance as a lucrative business option. Many of the political party supporters have entered the business due to its potential. A large base of private ambulances are in the vicinity of GMCH, IGGMC and Daga hospitals. They are thriving, as they are getting special privileges from a select group.

Private ambulance drivers in

the ‘patient abduction’ racket

In Mayo, GMCH patients coming from outside the city are being informed of the inconvenience in the hospitals, intimidating them and taking patients to private hospitals. Due to the greed of the commission, some private ambulance operators are active in this work. Interestingly, the security guards of both these hospitals are aware of this; but since no one is talking, it is doubtful that they are also involved in the racket.

Who cares about RTO rate card?

The RTO has fixed rates of around `400 to `600 for Maruti, Tata Sumo, Tata Winger and Tempo Traveler for 1 to 25 km and `14 per km within the municipal limits; but who cares about this? There are complaints that private ambulances are charging three times the card rate. According to the relatives of the patients, deceased, the burden of the relatives of the patient would be reduced if the tariff for ambulances in the government hospital was installed in the parking lot.

Privileges to Ambulances!

Ambulances are of special importance in healthcare. Therefore, the state government has given relief to ambulances from road tax. The ambulance is allowed to sound the blue light and siren so that the patient can be rushed to the hospital. They are not forced to stop at traffic signals. No toll is applicable to them. Many such facilities are provided to them; but it seems that private operators are taking undue advantage of these privileges.