Odisha Takes Major Steps to Revamp Private Ambulance Services

Enhancing Emergency Medical Transport in Odisha

In Bhubaneswar, a pivotal meeting was convened to improve emergency medical transport services in Odisha, led by Usha Padhee, the Principal Secretary of the Commerce & Transport department, alongside Aswathy S, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare department.

The primary focus of the discussions was to establish a robust regulatory framework for private ambulance services throughout the state.

Acknowledging the vital function of private ambulances in addressing healthcare disparities, especially in remote regions, the meeting underscored the importance of transparency, consistent operations, and better accessibility for the public.

To facilitate this, a registration campaign will be initiated to unify all private ambulances under a standardized system.

This initiative aims to create a verified database, enhance enforcement, and allow for efficient, real-time service deployment.

A significant aspect of the discussions included a proposal to provide incentives for private ambulance operators who register and adhere to service guidelines.

These incentives, coupled with clear regulations, are designed to promote broader participation and ensure compliance with the new framework.

Furthermore, all registered ambulances will be integrated with the Vehicle Location Tracking System (VLTS) for GPS monitoring, enabling quicker emergency responses.

Plans are also underway to connect ambulance services with the Odisha Yatri App, creating a user-friendly platform for citizens to locate, book, and access ambulance services, thereby enhancing last-mile healthcare delivery.

To protect citizens from excessive charges, the departments proposed the development of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for fare regulation.

The fare structure will be tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to maintain fairness and affordability over time and across different regions.

Key contributors to the meeting included Brundha D, the Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM), Additional DMET Umakant Satapathy, Deputy Superintendent of Capital Hospital Dhananjaya Das, along with senior officials from both departments.