Training made mandatory for ambulance drivers

Kathmandu: The ambulance drivers are now required to take training from the National Health Training Centre. This is stated in the National Ambulance Directives, 2021 recently issued by the Ministry of Health and Population.

It is stated that only drivers who have taken training from the Centre can drive an ambulance. Before this everyone having a driving license could drive an ambulance. Now, one can drive an ambulance only after five years of experience since acquiring a driving license.

The ambulance to be operated should be categorized as ‘A’ or ‘B’ and all ambulances should compulsorily have a ‘four-wheel drive’, power steering and suspension chain system.

The revenue exemption would be available only to the category ‘A’ and ‘B’ ambulances. Similarly, these ambulances should mandatorily keep a medical officer, health assistant or nurse, and they should have taken the designated training.

Likewise, GPS should be installed in every ambulance and they should be connected to the operation centre through a single number or application for the general public to avail of the service.

The ambulance driver, the medical staff and the emergency health technicians in the ambulance should wear a dark pink jacket and dark blue trousers.

Similarly, arrangements have been made for setting up the National Dispatch Centre and the Province Dispatch Centre, which will manage the human resources required for the operation of the ambulance service.

They will also facilitate in giving guidance for emergency primary health care to the sick or the injured until the ambulance reaches the incident site.