Ziqitza Healthcare Limited, which manages all Emergency Control System ambulances (also called 108 ambulances) in Punjab, has been fined Rs 11.98 lakh by the Punjab Health Systems Corporation.
There are approximately 300 ambulances in the state, and many of these vehicles, which transport trauma patients to hospitals, lack oxygen equipment. There have also been reports of other instances of negligence.
Dinesh Chadha, AAP MLA from Ropar, raised the issue after an inspection of ambulances in his constituency revealed serious deficiencies. At Government Hospital, Ropar, he found that the ambulance lacked oxygen pipes and its tyres were also worn down. The payments to the company that is playing with the lives of the public are a clear-cut misuse of public money, according to Chadha.
In response, the Punjab Health Systems Corporation inspected all ambulances in the state and found serious negligence by the company. Three ambulances were in very poor condition and eight were unfit and in need of immediate replacement.
Government Hospital Singpur (Nurpur Bedi) received the 108 Ambulance without oxygen pipes. It had been a long time since this ambulance had been serviced.
Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd has been penalized Rs 11,98,001 for negligence in maintaining ambulances in Punjab, as stated in a communication sent to the company last week.