Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: The Jharkhand government has approved the purchase of 207 Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances to improve emergency and referral healthcare services across remote regions of the state. The project, aimed at enhancing the quality of patient transport and emergency response, will cost ₹1.03 billion (₹103.5 crore). The approval order has been issued by Ajay Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of the Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Department.
Procurement Through Transparent Tender Process
According to officials, each ALS ambulance will cost approximately ₹50 lakh, and the procurement will be conducted by the Jharkhand Medical and Health Infrastructure and Development Procurement Corporation Limited (JMHIDPL) under the Jharkhand Procurement of Goods and Services Manual 2024 through a lowest bid system.
Replacing Ageing Fleet with Modern ALS Units
Currently, 440 ambulances operate under the state’s 108 Emergency Medical Services network. Of these, 207 ambulances are over eight years old and have clocked more than 1.5 lakh kilometers. The outdated vehicles will be decommissioned and auctioned, with the proceeds deposited into the state treasury.
Funding and Operations Under NHM
The newly approved ambulances will be operated by the National Health Mission (NHM), Jharkhand, as part of the 108 Emergency Medical Ambulance Service. The operational costs will be covered through funds received from the Supplementary PIP (Programme Implementation Plan) of the central government, and if required, additional financial support will come from the state budget.
