State Minister for Medical Education K.Murali Mohan today informed in the House the government will purchase new ambulances by replacing 650 old vehicles of 108 services at an estimated cost of Rs 52.80 crore during the five-year period. Replying to a question raised by the members during the Question Hour in the House, the Minister said an MoU was entered into with GVK EMRI in November last year for operation ‘108’ emergency response services for a period of five years from October,2011 while 100 per cent operational expenditure was born by the government. The government has been taking several measures to expand the health services, the Minister said and clarified no agreement was entered into with GVK EMRI for operation of ‘104’ services.
As many as 711 ambulances under 108 services were in use as on March, 2011 and over 3880 employees were working, he said.
However, in 104 services, 475 health Units were available under Fixed Day health Services (FDHS) and over 3,500 employees are working, the Minister added.. UNI