According to DAPMC, most ambulances are ill equipped and are running without basic life support system. [break]
The committee started to categorize ambulances operating in the capital about a year ago but only 23 ambulances have taken quality sticker so far.
Most of the ambulances registered with DAPMC are of ´C´ category and only one ambulance of Norvic Hospital comes under ´A´ category. At present, about 200 ambulances owned by various hospitals, social organizations and co- operatives operate in the capital.
The Chief District Officer (CDO), who is also the chief of DAPMC, has issued a directive to the Metropolitan Traffic Police to curb ambulances which do not meet the requirements set by the government.
"We want strict enforcement of the regulations. The traffic police will see to it that the errant ambulances participate in the categorization process," Indira Pandey of DAPMC said. The ambulances that are ill-equipped cannot provide basic facilities to trauma victims or patients with serious medical problems.
"Most of the ambulances operate without formally trained medical staff," said Sanga Ratna Shakya, a member of DAPMC, who is also a secretary of Nepal Red Cross Society. Pre-hospital emergency care is a critical component of ambulance service.
It is a minimum requirement regardless of the category of the ambulance. The adverse health consequences of not having pre-hospital care are extensive and contribute to high mortality rates even in cases of common medical emergencies.
Shakya claimed that a lot of ambulances do not have even the first aid tools.
He said some ambulances charge excessive fees while others are used for carrying goods. As per the rule, ambulance can charge only Rs 20 per kilometers.
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