Maharashtra govt approves plan to purchase 500 new ambulances

Maharashtra govt approves plan to purchase 500 new ambulances

To be purchased for Rs 89.48 cr, vehicles will be operational in a month

Sanjay JogUpdated: Thursday, July 30, 2020, 07:23 AM IST
article-image

Amidst the present coronavirus crisis, the Maharashtra Government has approved Rs 89.48 crore for the purchase of 500 new ambulances in the state. Of which 253 will be provided for primary health centres, 137 to rural hospitals, 106 to district and sub-district hospitals and four to metal hospitals. This is the fulfilment of the budgetary promise given by the Finance Minister Ajit Pawar in the state budget for 2020-21.

Minister of Public Health Rajesh Tope said in all 1,000 old ambulances will be replaced of which 500 in the current fiscal and another 500 in next year. The 500 new ambulances will be available in a month. He referred to the Finance Minister Ajit Pawar, who is state's deputy chief minister, budget speech in which he had proposed to make an allocation for the procurement of the new ambulances to retire the old ones.

‘’Administrative approval has recently been given for an estimated cost of Rs 89.48 crore for 500 new ambulances this year,’’ said Tope.

Tope admitted that the present state of ambulances, especially in the rural areas is being criticised. Therefore, the minister said the government has taken a cautious decision to replace those obsolete ambulances with new ones as a part of its plan to strengthen the health infrastructure in the rural areas. "This will help provide timely assistance to the patients in need. The government also aims to improve health care facilities in rural and remote areas,’’ he noted.

RECENT STORIES

30,000 Government Nurses In Maharashtra To Begin Indefinite Strike Amid Unmet Demands

30,000 Government Nurses In Maharashtra To Begin Indefinite Strike Amid Unmet Demands

Mumbai News: Citizens Launch Online Petition To Save Sanjay Gandhi National Park From Encroachments,...

Mumbai News: Citizens Launch Online Petition To Save Sanjay Gandhi National Park From Encroachments,...

Navi Mumbai News: MNS Protests Gujarati-Only Signboard At BJP MLA’s Office In Seawoods, Demands...

Navi Mumbai News: MNS Protests Gujarati-Only Signboard At BJP MLA’s Office In Seawoods, Demands...

Mumbai Court Rejects BJP MP Narayan Rane's Plea In Defamation Case Filed By Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader...

Mumbai Court Rejects BJP MP Narayan Rane's Plea In Defamation Case Filed By Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader...

Mumbai News: BMC’s 'Pothole QuickFix' App Sees 64% Redressal Rate With 3,193 Complaints Logged In...

Mumbai News: BMC’s 'Pothole QuickFix' App Sees 64% Redressal Rate With 3,193 Complaints Logged In...