Patna : The Bihar Health Department is preparing to link private ambulances with the state’s 102 and 112 emergency services, allowing patients to choose between government and private ambulance options during medical emergencies.
The initiative aims to improve ambulance availability and reduce delays in transporting patients to hospitals. Officials have started mapping private ambulances across Bihar to identify their locations, numbers and potential use during emergencies.
Once the mapping is complete, private ambulances will be integrated into the emergency response network, which currently includes government ambulance services.
Health Department To Fix Private Ambulance Fares
At present, private ambulance operators set their own charges. Under the proposed system, the Health Department will determine fares on a per-kilometre basis, taking operators’ costs into account while seeking to prevent excessive charges for patients.
Operators will not be allowed to collect more than the prescribed rates. Action may be taken against those found charging above the approved fares.
The move is intended to bring greater transparency to ambulance charges and protect patients and their families from excessive costs during medical emergencies.
Patients To Choose Between Government And Private Ambulances
Dr Naval Kishore Choudhary, executive officer of the State Health Committee, said integrating private ambulances could encourage competition between government and private service providers, ultimately benefiting patients.
Under the proposed arrangement, people contacting the emergency call centre will be offered an ambulance according to availability. Patients will have the option to choose between government and private ambulances.
The common network is also expected to make it easier to identify available vehicles and arrange transport during road accidents, serious illnesses and other emergencies.
Rural Areas Expected To Benefit
The initiative is expected to be particularly useful in areas where government ambulances are limited or unable to meet demand.
Mapping private ambulances will help officials assess vehicle availability in different locations and plan their deployment when additional transport is needed. The department expects the expanded network to strengthen emergency transport services in rural and underserved areas.
Service Targeted For Year-End
The Health Department aims to make the arrangement operational by the end of 2026. Before the rollout, officials will focus on completing the mapping exercise, connecting private ambulances with the 102 and 112 services and preparing the operational framework.
The final fare structure and other implementation details are yet to be announced.
Once introduced, the system is expected to expand the number of ambulances accessible through the emergency call centre while establishing regulated fares for private services.
