Govt makes tariffs for ambulance services standard across state

Thiruvananthapuram: As tariffs to avail ambulance services are different across the state, govt has now decided to standardize it. Transport minister K B Ganesh Kumar announced govt's decision to standardize ambulance fees and declared the tariffs on Tuesday. This is the first time a state is fixing tariffs for ambulances.
According to the standardized rates, the minimum rate will apply for the first 10km.There will be no waiting charge for the first hour. For ICU and ventilator-equipped D-category ambulances, minimum rate is Rs 2,500, with Rs 50 per additional km and a waiting charge of Rs 350/hour after the first one hour. These ambulances will have the services of technicians and doctors.
For traveller ambulances with air-conditioner and oxygen facilities in C-category, the minimum charge is Rs 1,500, with a waiting charge of Rs 200/hour and a per km rate of Rs 40. Non-AC traveller ambulances in B-category will have a minimum rate of Rs 1,000, with a waiting charge of Rs 200/hour and a per km rate of Rs 30. For A-category ambulances with AC, such as Omni, Eeco and Bolero, the minimum rate is Rs 800, with a waiting charge of Rs 200/hour and a per km rate of Rs 25. Non-AC vehicles in the same category will have a minimum charge of Rs 600, with a waiting charge of Rs 150/hour and a per km rate of Rs 20.
There will be a 20% discount for BPL (below poverty line) categories. Cancer patients and children under 12 years will receive a discount of Rs 2/km. In case of an accident, patients will be transported to hospitals free of charge. The motor vehicles department will provide special training and ID cards for ambulance drivers, who will wear a uniform of navy blue shirt and black pants. Ambulance tariffs will be displayed visibly for patients and their companions. Along with the existing helpline number 9188961100, special WhatsApp numbers will also be introduced. Strict maintenance of logbooks in ambulances will be enforced to prevent misuse, said the minister.
There are more than 5,000 registered ambulances in the state, including private services. About 600 ambulances are registered under the directorate of health services and a few of them under the directorate of medical education. Besides these, there are several other vehicles being used as ambulances without any registration, and some others are used for illegal activities. The ambulances are operating broadly in three categories — with basic life-support systems and those with advanced life-support systems.