Covid-19: 'Will probe fleecing ambulance services,' says health minister Rajesh Tope

Cardiac Ambulance service’s operator, Chaand, at the premises of Cooper hospital

Following mid-day's report about private ambulance services overcharging the kin of Covid-19 victims, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said that the government will probe the matter. mid-day had reported on how private ambulance operators have been profiteering by charging three to four times the government-approved rates.

MID-DAY posed as relatives of patients who died of Covid-19 and found that operators are charging more than Rs 2,500 for just a couple of kilometres. In some cases, the prices went up to Rs 5,000-Rs 6,000. mid-day asked Tope about the exploitation at his government residence on Friday, to which he replied, "We will investigate it."

In addition, Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale, too, has written to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, informing him that it is a serious matter and that the government should take note of the report.

CM Uddhav Thackeray, Rajesh Tope and Rahul Shewale, Shiv Sena MP

"Doctors, medical staff, BMC and police are working day and night to give proper treatment to people. In such a situation, mid-day has published the news that private ambulance service providers are profiteering from ordinary citizens by charging more than the prescribed limit," Shewale said in his letter.

Shewale pointed out that while the government- and civic-run services are provided for free, private operators are charging more than the rates fixed by the government. According to rates released by the Regional Transport Office on June 19, 2020, prices range from Rs 700 to Rs 1,190 for various models of vehicles used as ambulances. The prices are for a distance of 25 km.

Yedoba Janseva Sanstha's ambulance operated by Deepak Shah outside Bhagwati hospital in Dahisar. He quoted Rs 5,500 for a 5-6-km distance

"This serious matter should be investigated and if anyone is found guilty in the investigation, then action should be taken," Shewale said in the letter.

Patil Ambulance's vehicle near Hinduja hospital. Its operator quoted Rs 3,000 for 7 km

Regional Transport Commissioner of Maharashtra Avinash Dhakane told mid-day, "Ambulance rates are decided for the state and are published on our website. Also, a grievance mechanism is available on our website. PPE kits and other necessary material would cost extra as that was not factored in when the rates were decided."