In a bid to check fleecing of patients, the UT administration has fixed the rates for ambulance services provided through National Ambulances Services Number-112 within the tricity at ₹300.
UT has six ambulances that are dedicated to free transportation of patients to and from government health facilities within Chandigarh.
Besides, four NGOs/charitable trusts also operate ambulances through the National Ambulances Services Number to ferry patients from the hospitals within the tricity, but against a charge.
UT health secretary Yashpal Garg said the charges for these ambulances had been fixed at ₹300 per trip within the tricity, and ₹10 and ₹12 per km for plains and hilly areas, respectively, outside the tricity. If the patients are ferried within Chandigarh only, the ₹300 charge will be footed by the health department.
People can lodge complaints of overcharging/ misbehaviour against the ambulances at phone number 112. These will be forwarded to the UT health director for further action.