SHILLONG:
The state government on Wednesday rejected the demand of the health department to take over the emergency services in the state.
At a meeting with a delegation from the Meghalaya EMRI Workers Union (MEMRIWU), health minister James K Sangma made it clear where the government stands on the issue.
“He (James Sangma) has expressed the government’s inability to take over the emergency services (as demanded by the union),” president of the union Microlina Syiemlieh told reporters.
She said Sangma had informed the delegation that the government has decided not to renew the contract with the incumbent GVK EMRI for running the 108 ambulance services in the state.
“Therefore, the tender process is already on for a new company to operate the emergency services,” she added.
Syiemlieh said the union has insisted that the state government should take over the services to provide quality services to the people of the state since the present management had failed on all fronts.
“However, the meeting was not successful since the minister had made it clear on its stand but assured that the government will make sure that the employees will not face difficulties in the future,” she added.