Govt-Fortis deal on ambulances dead

After a month-long effort to salvage the joint venture between the Delhi government and Fortis Hospitals to launch additional ambulances before the Commonwealth Games, the mediation has been called off.

Former chief secretary Narain Swami, however, is yet to submit a report to the government detailing causes that led to “irreconcilable differences” between the parties.

The deal was called off last Friday and the two parties will now approach an arbitrator for financial closure.

The state Health department is, meanwhile, looking at hiring vehicles from ambulance operators during the Commonwealth Games, scheduled to begin from October 3.

“We will be purchasing 30 ambulances and the rest will be hired from private operators. After the Games, we will augment out fleet gradually,” Special Secretary Diwan Chand said.

The Health department had partnered with the Fortis group of hospitals to roll out 150 fully equipped ambulances in time for the Commonwealth Games. The deal had cost the government Rs 25 crore and the first batch of ambulances was supposed to be delivered in January this year.

The partnership fell apart after the Delhi Health minister inspected and rejected the fleet that was ready to be delivered.

According to the pact, other than the 150 ambulances, there would have been 20 ‘first-responder’ (two-wheeler) vehicles, which would reach a victim within 15 to 20 minutes of receiving a call for help.

Of the 150 ambulances, 141 would have been basic life support ambulances and nine would be advanced life support.

Since 1991, pre-hospital medical emergency transportation and ambulance services have been provided through CATS.