“With a click of mouse patients will know private ambulance services available in vicinity.”
Bombay High Court: A Division Bench of Dipankar Datta, CJ and M.S. Karnik, J., noted that State has introduced several measures for patients in need of ambulances to easily track with the said in times this terrible time of COVID-19 pandemic.
In an earlier order dated 9th June, 2020 petitioner had sought directions to State to take immediate steps to increase the number of ambulances in Mumbai and to ask the private ambulance providers to start such services.
Respondents have introduced several measures for patients in need of ambulances to track such ambulances for the purpose of their transportation to hospitals and care centers.
Documents placed by A.A. Kumbhkoni, Advocate General — disclosed that on a click of mouse a patient would get to know the registration number of private ambulance services available in the vicinity, particulars of its owners, rates at which the ambulances could be hired as well as cell to which a complaint can be addressed on refusal to provide services by its owner to any patient.
Senior Counsel, A.Y. Sakhare for MCGM submitted that out of 780 ambulances, nearly 700 are in operation in the city and that the situation is well under control.
Lastly, the Court observed that if any particular patient has been deprived of ambulance service, he/she is at liberty to pursue his/her remedy before the appropriate forum. [Dr Kirit Samiya v. Rajesh Tope, 2020 SCC OnLine Bom 727 , decided on 26-06-2020]
