Fix reasonable price for ambulance services, SC tells states

A bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan, was hearing a petition seeking appropriate order and or directions to increase ambulance services to ensure proper service to COVID positive patient cases in the country.

New Delhi:The Supreme Court on Friday expressed its concern over the way ambulance providers charge an excessive amount of money to provide service to COVID-19 patients and directed the States to fix a reasonable price for ambulance services.

A bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan, was hearing a petition seeking appropriate order and or directions to increase ambulance services to ensure proper service to COVID positive patient cases in the country.

Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, appearing for the centre informed the court that they have already issued SOP and formulated an Emergency plan.

The bench said that States are bound by advisory already issued by the Central government to ensure this during this pandemic time, all State governments must ensure that the number of ambulances must be sufficient.

It said that ambulances should be provided in each district to help COVID patients to hospitals.

"The SOP by Union of India dated March 29,2020, it is obligatory for states to follow SOP and augment ambulances in states and ambulances must be made available and helping hand must be extended to needy persons who are required to be transported to the hospital," observed the court.

Passing directions, the court today disposed of the matter.

(With inputs from agencies.)