In a bid to have a uniform design and nomenclature for all ambulances, the Health Ministry has suggested to retain design of National Ambulance Service under NRHM while formulating guidelines for National Ambulance Code.
In a letter to Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the Health Ministry has suggested that as the design and nomenclature of National Ambulance Service (NAS) is already implemented by various states, it should be retained while framing ambulance designs under National Ambulance Code (NAC).
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has recently formulated the NAC and is in the process of framing guidelines for the same.
Under the NRHM scheme, 13,847 ambulances are operating in 35 states and more than 500 ambulances have been sanctioned this year for strengthening referral services.
To ensure greater visibility of ambulances running under the scheme, the Health Ministry had decided to have a common design and nomeclature of NAS.
The Health Ministry has also shared guidelines and conditionalities of NAS with the Ministry of Road Tranport and Highways.
The guidelines also suggest fitting the ambulances with GPS systems, avoid any advertisements, rigorous and regular monitoring to be done for optimal and rational use of the vehicles.
