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Fund crunch likely to cripple 108 services
It seems that the 108 emergency medical services, which won accolades, is now left to languish. The services may not get any better for the second year in a row. The loud siren became a distinctive sign of the coming of ambulance. But that distinctive sound of siren may not remain as life-saving service as it was once upon a time.
Hyderabad: It seems that the 108 emergency medical services, which won accolades, is now left to languish. The services may not get any better for the second year in a row. The loud siren became a distinctive sign of the coming of ambulance. But that distinctive sound of siren may not remain as life-saving service as it was once upon a time.
Although state Health Minister C Laxma Reddy has spoken very high of the 108 services recently, the Budget allotment tell of different story. The service has a paltry allocation of Rs 20.84 crore in the Budget 2015-16. The actual cost of operating the 108 services is estimated to be in region of Rs 75.66 crore. There is no change from last year as far as allotment of funds for the service is concerned. Many of the vehicles in the fleet have been grounded.
Health officials fear a repeat of the situation this year as well. Currently, there are 316 ambulances and 121 of them remain grounded. The Telangana State government has decided to replace them and also add 169 new vehicles to the existing fleet. Tender process has been completed for acquisition of 290 more ambulances. As such, a total number of 485 vehicles will be operational. According to cost estimates by the EMRI, which is the nodal agency for the 108 services, operating cost of each ambulance is Rs 1.30 lakh.
At this rate, the cost of operating 485 vehicles turns out to be Rs.75.66 crore. Problem lies here only, because the allocation made in the state Budget 2015-16 is just Rs 20.84 crore only. This amount also includes funds from the SC and ST sub-plan, which are allocated on the basis of need. Even the latest inclusion of the 108 in the National Ambulance Services scheme is unlikely to spare the common people from facing hardships for one more year.
According to state Health department officials, the Centre bears only 25 per cent of the cost and the Central assistance will be around Rs. 18.91 crore. Combining the state funding and the Central assistance, the total funds available for the programme will be Rs. 39.75 crore. Again, this implies a shortfall of Rs. 35.91 crore for the popular programme.
