Punjab Launches Free Ambulance Service for Transporting Deceased from Hospitals
By Sabeeh Zanair :
Authorities in Punjab have approved the establishment of a free government ambulance service dedicated to transporting deceased individuals from hospitals to their homes, marking the first initiative of its kind in Pakistan’s most populous province.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz gave the green light for the program during a special meeting focused on arrangements for providing no-cost transportation of bodies from public healthcare facilities to family residences.
Service Details
According to officials, the plan calls for making dedicated government vehicles available at major public hospitals and in every tehsil across the province. Families will be able to request the service by calling 1122 or by visiting hospital help counters.
Emergency Services Secretary Dr Rizwan Naseer briefed the meeting that at least one vehicle will be stationed in each tehsil specifically for this purpose. The service will also provide free transportation when families need to move deceased individuals from hospitals to other cities.
The system will operate under smart management technology to monitor and coordinate requests efficiently, officials said.
Regulation of Private Sector
The meeting also resulted in an agreement in principle to regulate private ambulance services operating in the province. Proposals to establish standardized rates for private operators were reviewed, though no final decisions were announced.
The move aims to bring consistency and affordability to emergency medical transportation while ensuring families facing loss are not burdened with excessive costs during moments of grief.
Condolences Extended
Separately, the chief minister expressed deep sorrow over the passing of renowned writer, poet, and Iqbal studies scholar Dr Haroon ur Rashid Tabasum. In a statement, she extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul.
Maryam Nawaz noted that Dr Tabasum’s scholarly contributions to Iqbal studies would continue to inspire future generations.
The chief minister also offered condolences on the death of the mother of State Minister Abdul Rehman Kanju, praying for patience and strength for the grieving family.
The ambulance service initiative represents a significant expansion of Punjab’s emergency response capabilities, addressing a gap in post-mortem transportation that families have long navigated through private arrangements often at considerable expense.
About Author
