Patients’ kin forced to shell out extra for ambulances

Gurgaon: Families of Covid-19 patients are being forced to pay exorbitant amounts getting them shifted from one hospital to the other as they are being overcharged by private ambulance drivers in the absence of proper guidelines.
One person had to pay Rs 18,000 just to reach the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Badsa, Jhajjar, from Gurgaon, 25km away.The district administration does not have sufficient ambulances, due to which people are being forced to depend on private ambulances.
Praveen Singh, whose mother is a Covid patient, said: “My mother was admitted in a private hospital at Khandsa Road, but her condition was deteriorating and we needed to shift her to a multi-super specialty hospital last Friday. We found a bed in NCI, but the hospital refused to provide an ambulance. I managed to arrange a private ambulance and they charged me Rs 18,000.”
Navdeep, a resident of Sector 45, faced similar difficulties. “My brother was admitted in a private hospital in Sector 47. When his oxygen levels suddenly dipped, we arranged a bed in PGI Rohtak, but the hospital refused to provide an ambulance with advanced life support. I called the helpline 108 on Saturday night, but they told me no ambulance was available for patients admitted in private hospitals,” he said.
“I requested an ambulance driver standing outside the hospital to take my brother. He asked for Rs 50,000 and finally agreed on Rs 45,000. I had to pay because my brother’s life is worth more than money,” he said.
The Gurgaon health department has a total of 24 ambulances, out of which only seven are dedicated Covid ambulances. When contacted, district transport officer Dharna Yadav wasn’t available for a comment.
According to the private ambulance welfare association, there has been a shortage of ambulances in the district, while demand has raised multifold. “We are not overcharging patients. Some ambulance drivers might be charging extra money. Costs have increased due to Covid,” said Vipin Jaiswal, former president of the association.
“Now, every ambulance needs an oxygen cylinder, PPE kit, mask, gloves and sanitisation. An oxygen cylinder was earlier available for Rs 400, but now costs Rs 2,500. Moreover, costs of sanitation, PPE kits and fuel have also gone up. Apart from this, the waiting time has increased significantly. Due to all these reasons, we have increased charges reasonably,” he added.