Sindh Prime Minister Murad Ali Shah on Thursday ordered the province's finance department to release Rs179 million for the Aman Foundation, an ambulance service facing a serious financial crisis.
The government assured the ambulance service that funds will be provided for next Wednesday, according to a statement issued by the prime minister's spokesman.
"According to the prime minister's instructions, the Secretary of Health, Saeed Awan, ordered the ambulance service to continue its services," he added.
The Aman Foundation used to manage its ambulance operation through donations, but now it depends on the provincial government.
According to the press release, the prime minister was developing a system under which the Aman Foundation could receive the necessary funds on time.
Meanwhile, Sindh's government spokesman, Murtaza Wahab, rejected the impression that the ambulance service was closed.
He said a summary of the funds had already been shared with the prime minister, and that the funds will be released shortly after Shah's approval.
"It is an excellent service for citizens," he said, adding that the Sindh government wants the foundation to continue to provide citizens.
However, sources from the Aman Foundation said the ambulance service is currently suspended since the provincial health department did not pay the service fees.
According to the sources, the foundation and the government had signed an agreement in May under which the government had to pay Rs 450 million to the foundation. Under the same agreement, 60 ambulances of the Aman Foundation were to operate under the Sindh Medical and Rescue Services. The foundation was unable to complete a fleet of 60 ambulances, sources said.
They said the service has been in hot water since its CEO was arrested in London. Employees associated with ambulance services received only half of their respective salaries in July, the sources added.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1511388/murad-orders-release-of-rs179-million-to-keep-aman-foundation-functional