KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 8

Ambulance drivers are now required to take training from the National Health Training Centre. This provision has been stated in the National Ambulance Directives, 2021 recently issued by the Ministry of health and Population.

It is stated that only those drivers who have taken training from the Centre can drive ambulance.

Earlier, anyone holding a driving licence could drive ambulance. But now, one has to gain five years of experience to drive ambulance after acquiring the driving licence.

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

Revenue exemption will be available only for the category 'A' and 'B' ambulances.

Similarly, these ambulances should mandatorily keep a medical officer, health assistant or a nurse, who 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 the service. The ambulance driver, medical staff and the emergency health technicians in the ambulance should wear dark pink jacket and dark blue trousers.

A version of this article appears in the print on September 9 2021, of The Himalayan Times.