Health dept likely to float fresh tender for 108 emergency ambulance services

SHILLONG, July 19: The Health department is seeking advice from various line departments on floating a fresh tender for operation of the 108 ambulance services in the state.
Earlier, the tendering process was cancelled thrice by the government. The government was urged to not go for a new tender, but to constitute a high-powered committee including healthcare officials and experts.
The National Health Mission is currently looking after the ambulance services.
The state government approved a new tender committee on May 17 to appoint a firm to handle the 108 ambulance services.
Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Friday pointed out that the tender process was called off thrice. “We hope in the next announcement of the tenders we will cover all loopholes in the previous tenders,” she said.
She informed that NHM’s management of the ambulance services was initially meant to be a temporary arrangement and the 108 ambulance services employees had signed a one-year contract with NHM.
The agreement was subsequently updated and the one-year contract was renewed with a 4% increase in their salaries after due consultations.
She informed that the department has received another representation from a group of workers who are demanding a 5% salary hike.
“For the rest of the employees, we have renewed the agreement,” the minister said.
Meanwhile, Lyngdoh informed that they have signed an MoU with almost all hospitals in the city for the Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) coverage.
She said eligible citizens can now reach out to the MHIS team who will directly supervise their medical bills.
“Anyone with an MHIS card is eligible for the benefits. The charges of the hospital get regulated to a large extend. Beyond that it is difficult for the government to comment since the choice of medical institute rests with the citizens who are often not aware of the implications or costs of their treatment,” she stated.
She said citizens come to the hospital only during emergencies and they are not aware of their medical predicament.
“This is where we have the problem of regulation of treatment costs. A private health institute has its own method of calculations but if the citizens have MHIS coverage there is a significant deduction in their bills,” she added.