Govt bans new Omni ambulances; calls them unfit to patients' safety

Omni Ambulances were considered cost-effective and ideal in narrow, dense traffic routes Categorised under 'C' category they are being seen as unfit to patients' safety Number of accidents involving Omni ambulance was high, of late

Considering them unfit to operate as emergency response service ambulances, the State Transport Department has decided to put a ban on the new registrations of Maruti Omni ambulances in the state. A decision to this effect was taken following a directions of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Omni ambulances have been the preferred choice of emergency services for many years. As they are small in built and could manoeuvre in dense traffic, they were the preferred mode of ambulance services even by the small clinics. Charity organsiations preferred to donate ambulances to hospitals as they are cost effective. Bengaluru alone has over 600 Omni ambulances, reports The Hindu.

However, of late, the number of accidents involving the Omni ambulances has gone up. Keeping the safety of patients and the family members who accompany the patients, the Ministry of Transport and Highways has decided to do away with the Omni ambulances. Not just the safety aspect, even these ambulances did not adhere to the requirements of road ambulances. Besides, the fact that the vehicle has space constraints for having breathing equipment and other emergency medical needs. These aspects is said to have worked against the ambulances forcing the government to decide on their de-registration. However, it is not yet clear whether the existing vehicles' permits will be renewed as the department or allow the vehicles that are already in service. But at many places, the department did not issue the Fitting Certificate to many vehicles it is reported.

Presently, there are four types of ambulances vehicles ply on road in the state and Omni ambulance was included under 'C' category.

But the government's decision has left ambulance drivers in lurch. Many have invested their money in buying these vehicles and convert their service for emergency medical use. Worse, many have raised a loan to buy them. Ambulance drivers are upset that their respective Regional Transport Officers never bothered to alert them before going all out with the decision.