EMRI workers oppose bid to ‘privatise’ 108 ambulances

SHILLONG, May 5: The employees of EMRI, under the banner of the Meghalaya Emergency Management and Research Institute Workers’ Union (MEMRIWU), have opposed the attempt to privatise the 108 ambulances in the state.
In a statement, the Union informed that whilst talks were under way with Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh over various issues, reports emerged about the state government soon to float a tender to engage a permanent service provider for the 108 ambulance services in the state.
Expressing opposition to the move, the Union argued that roping in some other company for 108 ambulance services can not only lead to malfunctioning and corruption in the future but would have a negative impact in the delivery of emergency services in Meghalaya.
“We strongly oppose this plan of privatisation as we have witnessed in the past that placing this project under the company’s hands would only create disruption and bring bad quality of emergency service to the people in our state,” the Union said.
The Union also urged the state government to pull the plug on the “privatisation” attempt and rather focus on improving the policies and guidelines for the future benefits of the people.
The workers also asserted that lest the government goes ahead with the “privatisation” bid, they will be compelled to resort to agitation.
It may be mentioned that last month Health Secretary, Ramkumar S. had informed that once the model code of conduct, in view of Sohiong by-election, is lifted, the department will float a tender to engage a permanent service provider for the 108 ambulance services in the state.
Informing that the ambulance service is being run by an ad hoc team as a temporary measure, Ramkumar had said the government also intends to expand the services to more locations in the state.