Shillong, June 19: The 108 ambulance services in Meghalaya is yet to be operated by a permanent new company.

Currently, the 108 108 ambulance services in the state is being operated by the National Health Mission (NHM).

Earlier, the 108 ambulance services was run by the GVK- EMRI but in 2022 the state government served the closure notice to the company.

After the closure notice to the company, the services has been taken over by the NHM from past on year.

It was in 2008 that the 108 services was launched in Meghalaya.

While speaking to reporters here , Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Monday informed that currently they are undertaking a quick review of how and what’s the best way forward in operationalising the 108 services.

Talking about NHM, she stated that it is not a professional organisation that is equipped or has the expertise to run the 108 services in the state.

She further said that, “I have met with the 108 workers and received their memorandum. We want to ensure firstly that we consider and safeguard all workers in the 108 services. At the moment we must protect their services and give them maximum coverage and benefit whenever the new company takes over”.

She also said that the Meghalaya government is currently preparing the tendering procedure and is expected to take time.

She said that the government don’t want to rush into it since they feel that there is already a 108 services working in the state and that there are workers already engaged in this program.

She also stated, “We must take them along and ensure that whatever we do is done in the best interest of these workers. Once we’ve understood that then we will call for the tender which is currently being prepared and Expression of Interest is being prepared and will likely be floated at an earliest time possible”.

While, expressing the concern over the 108 services being crippled, Lyngdoh said that they want to engage with the most eligible party that will be able to bring along with it a fleet of 108 services functioning efficiently across Meghalaya.

“As of today the 108 has truly been wheels of hope and wheel of life. We want to ensure that that continues and want that to the furthest extent possible extra ambulances will be made available for services to all the sick across the state. I have full faith that we will be able to come to a certain agreement so that we can make sure that these services are run most efficiently in the interest of the public of the state of Meghalaya,” Lyngdoh said.

Also read: Health advisories: Ampareen Lyngdoh says government is bound by duty to inform the public

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