Bhubaneswar: Odisha currently has 1,366 ambulances in operation, Health & Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling informed the state assembly on Monday.
In a written reply to a question by Bhadark MLA Sitansu Sekhar Mohapatra, Minister Mahaling said that of the total, 860 are 108 Emergency Medical Ambulance Service (EMAS) vehicles, 500 are 108 Janani Express vehicles, and six are boat ambulances. All these vehicles are functioning under the Integrated Patient Transport & Health Helpline Service (IPTHHS) Phase-II.
The Minister added that, under the provisions of the Request for Proposal (RFP), the replacement of 421 ambulances in various districts is currently underway to ensure timely and efficient patient transport.
He further stated that, according to the standard operating procedures (SOP) and RFP guidelines, all ambulances are regularly maintained, serviced, and repaired within the stipulated timeframe, and kept clean. These operations are managed by the service-providing agencies contracted under the IPTHHS Phase-II project.
