Feb 15, Kathmandu - Locals have protested after the ambulance fare from Jumla to Nepalgunj was fixed at Rs 25,000. The locals have expressed dissatisfaction, accusing the District Ambulance Committee of arbitrarily fixing the fare.

In accordance with the Ambulance Operation Directive, 2082 issued by the Ministry of Health and Population, a meeting held on Paush 24 under the chairmanship of District Ambulance Committee Coordinator and Chief District Officer Deepak Poudel determined the fare for ambulances operating within Jumla district, informed Kiran Kumar Sharma, Acting Office Chief of the Public Health Service Office, Jumla.

Acknowledging that there have been public complaints about the fixed fare, Office Chief Sharma said, “If necessary, it can be reviewed in the next meeting. The fare for ambulances within Chandannath Municipality has been fixed at Rs 600, on unpaved roads within the district at Rs 100 per kilometer, and on paved roads at Rs 90 (both ways).”

Similarly, Chief Sharma said that the ambulance fare from all parts of Jumla to Surkhet has been fixed at Rs 20,000 and from Jumla to Nepalgunj at Rs 25,000. District Ambulance Committee Coordinator and Chief District Officer Poudel said that the fare has been fixed based on distance and location.

Chief District Officer Poudel said that the committee has been active in bringing uniformity in fares as different classes of ambulances are in operation at various local levels of the district, including the Karnali Institute of Health Sciences. Sinja, Tila, Hima Rural Municipality and Chandannath Municipality have already issued a public notice stating that they will implement the fares set by the District Ambulance Committee.

However, locals are dissatisfied saying that the fares to Surkhet and Nepalgunj are extremely expensive. Locals complain that the lives of poor and needy citizens are being played with because the services targeted at patients are so expensive. The District Ambulance Committee, on the other hand, has stated that the fares have been fixed based on distance, fuel cost, maintenance and driver expenses.