By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 31: The Meghalaya government has appointed a consultant to conduct a detailed study on the most suitable operational model for running the 108 Emergency Ambulance Service in the state.
Informing this here on Friday, Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla said that the government will take a call on engaging emergency ambulances only after receiving the consultant’s recommendations.
It may be mentioned that that in 2022 a closure notice was issued to GVK EMRI, which was operating the emergency ambulance services in the state. Since then, the state government has not been able to appoint a new firm to operate the services, even though tenders were floated on several occasions.
At present, the ambulances are being run by the National Health Mission (NHM).
Shylla said that the government is currently awaiting the consultant’s report, following which it will examine and decide on the best possible way forward for managing the emergency ambulance service.
Earlier, workers under the Meghalaya EMRI Workers’ Union had demanded that the state government take over the management of the 108 service and ensure payment of dignified wages.
Demands of ASHA workers approved
The health minister also informed that the state government has approved the long-pending demands of nearly 7,000 ASHA workers in Meghalaya, leading to the withdrawal of their agitation.
Shylla stated that while there were initial hurdles, the issues were resolved through dialogue between the workers and the health department.
He added that the ASHA workers agreed to call off their protest after being informed of the government’s decision.
