Mountain. The free ambulance service operated at Jaljala Rural Municipality here has proved to be a boon for senior citizens, poor and helpless. Last year alone, 327 people of the target group benefited from this service. Apart from this, 631 people have availed the service, according to the rural municipality.

The rural municipality had started the ambulance service in the fiscal year 2081/82 BS. Rural municipality chair Raju Prasad Acharya said that free service is provided to the target group and paid service to others.

According to the rural municipality, 70 pregnant and lactating women, 99 senior citizens, 110 poor and helpless people, five people with disabilities and 43 others who are financially weak have availed the services free of cost.

“Citizens who are facing problems and are financially weak have benefited greatly from this. Many lives have been saved by rescuing them on time. We will make this service more effective in the coming days,” acharya said.

The rural municipality has targeted persons with disabilities, senior citizens, pregnant and lactating mothers, poor and helpless and other especially people with five conditions.

Those falling in these categories have got free ambulance service. Chief Administrative Officer Hari Krishna Acharya said that other citizens are also taking ambulance service at an affordable price, which has collected Rs 1,103,623 revenue.

Ambulances have been useful to Beni Hospital, Dhaulagiri Zonal Hospital, Parbat Hospital, Pokhara and Kathmandu hospitals. Chief Administrative Officer Acharya said that after the operation of the service, it has become easier to check pregnancy within the stipulated time, access to safe maternity services in health institutions, reduce maternal and infant mortality rate and improve the health condition of the citizens.

Two ambulances are in operation here. One migrant has been purchased with the help of Nagliwang residents and the other has been provided by the Indian Embassy. According to the rural municipality, a separate committee and account have been set up to operate both the ambulances.

“The fare has been fixed as per the norms. We had allocated Rs 500,000 in the last fiscal year for the service of the target community. Apart from this, we have also made arrangements for depositing money in the account of the Ambulance Board of Directors by those interested in helping to make the service effective, said Chief Administrative Officer Acharya.

According to the rural municipality, those in need can avail the service by contacting the 18105000168 toll-free number that does not cost the ambulance driver 24 hours a day.