Demand for easy renewal of Category A, B, and C ambulances

Nepal Health News, Kathmandu – The Joint Ambulance Drivers Association of Nepal has demanded amendments to the Health Act, 2075 (2018 AD), the removal of the provision that only the health sector can operate ambulances, and the facilitation of easy renewal for ambulances currently classified under categories A, B, and C.

Similarly, the association has also called for arrangements to provide health training for ambulance drivers, ensure ambulance parking facilities at all hospitals, and for the government to provide health supplies, essential medicines in ambulances, and protective uniforms for drivers.

According to the association, there are around 6,000 ambulances across the country, of which 80% have not been able to renew due to restrictions imposed by the current Act.

In the meantime, aiming to get their demands fulfilled, the association has submitted letters of concern to major political parties. A team led by the association’s president, Navaraj Lamichhane, submitted letters to top leaders of political parties and the Chairperson of the National Assembly.

The team submitted letters to Narayan Dahal, Chairperson of the National Assembly; Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre) and former Prime Minister; Dr. Shekhar Koirala and Vice-President Dhanraj Gurung of the Nepali Congress; Shankar Pokharel, General Secretary of CPN-UML; and Manish Jha, spokesperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party.

Likewise, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairman Rajendra Lingden and spokesperson Gyanendra Bahadur Shahi were also approached and requested to help facilitate the fulfillment of the association’s demands, according to President Lamichhane.

Earlier, the association had also submitted a memorandum to Health and Population Minister Pradeep Paudel, and had sent similar memorandums to the Health Minister through most of the District Administration Offices across the country.