Due to the ongoing protest by CATS employees, allegedly three people died and many patients suffered because ambulances did not reach on time. Around 240 contractual employees went on strike on Monday against Delhi government’s move to privatise CATS operation and maintenance services.
“There was one casualty in Narela and two near Rohini because ambulances could not reach the spot in time,” said Narendra Lakra, president of CATS employees association.
As part of the strike, over 50 ambulances were not operated despite receiving calls from patients. Help was taken from Delhi Police PCR vans to continue services. “Around 300 calls were received on Monday but only four or five were attended,” said Narendra Lakra.
He further added that privatisation of CATS services will hamper their job security. Employees also alleged that for the past three years, there has been no hike in their salary.
The health department, on January 9, floated an expression of interest which said: “The Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS), an autonomous body of Delhi government, invites expression of interest from eligible bidders to shortlist them for issue of a request for proposal (RFP) for the further bidding process for selection of bidder for operation and maintenance of CATS ambulance services and Control Room.”
The Delhi government is also in the process of procuring 110 more CATS ambulances. At present, there are 152 ambulances — 21 advanced life support ambulances, 10 basic life support ambulances and 121 patient transporting ambulances.
“There was one casualty in Narela and two near Rohini because ambulances could not reach the spot in time,” said Narendra Lakra, president of CATS employees association.
As part of the strike, over 50 ambulances were not operated despite receiving calls from patients. Help was taken from Delhi Police PCR vans to continue services. “Around 300 calls were received on Monday but only four or five were attended,” said Narendra Lakra.
He further added that privatisation of CATS services will hamper their job security. Employees also alleged that for the past three years, there has been no hike in their salary.
The health department, on January 9, floated an expression of interest which said: “The Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS), an autonomous body of Delhi government, invites expression of interest from eligible bidders to shortlist them for issue of a request for proposal (RFP) for the further bidding process for selection of bidder for operation and maintenance of CATS ambulance services and Control Room.”
The Delhi government is also in the process of procuring 110 more CATS ambulances. At present, there are 152 ambulances — 21 advanced life support ambulances, 10 basic life support ambulances and 121 patient transporting ambulances.