Sindh govt allocates Rs979m for Aman Foundation to get 40 more ambulances

Launches Sindh Rescue and Medical Services with newly branded ambulances

KARACHI: Sindh Rescue and Medical Services (SRMS), a project of Sindh government in collaboration with Aman Health Care Services, was formally launched at the Sindh Secretariat on Tuesday. Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho also announced a fund of Rs979 million for Aman Foundation to be used over the next six months. It will be utilised to add 40 more ambulances to the existing fleet of 60 ambulances.

The provincial government had first extended formal support to Aman Ambulances in 2018. The service was operating a fleet of 60 ambulances at the time and had made 74,776 life-saving interventions including the deliveries of 11 babies in the vehicles.

Dr Pechuho inaugurated the newly branded ambulances, bearing the emblem of the Sindh government. The ceremony marks the launch of Karachi's first ever government-backed, free-of-charge ambulance service.

The government intends to expand the size of the fleet to 200 to cater to the population of 20 million that resides in the city. A similar project, Sindh Peoples Ambulance Service, has already proven successful in the Thatta and Sujjawal districts where a fleet of 25 ambulances have been operating since 2017.

Sindh govt announces new ambulance service for Karachi

During the last two years, 51,120 lifesaving interventions have been made including the deliveries of 151 babies in the vehicle on way to the health facilities.

"Today is a great milestone for the people of Karachi and fruition of Sindh government's unwavering efforts and resolve to facilitate the citizens of this province," said the health minister, adding that they were looking forward to expanding the service to all districts of Sindh at the earliest.

Mujahid Khan, the chief executive officer at Aman Foundation, said, "Today marks for us the true actualisation of Aman Foundation's founding vision of bringing about systemic change by incubating public service initiatives for the underserved, and scaling them through strategic partnerships".

SRMS ambulances will continue to be run by Aman Health Care Services. As earlier, the service can be availed by dialling 1021 and as has been the practice in the past, and in line with global best practices, the service will prioritise critical and lifesaving interventions across Karachi.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26^th, 2019.