Transformative Changes in Patient Transport Services
With the aim of putting an end to years of disorder in healthcare transportation, the Casablanca City Council has introduced a new framework for the delegated management of patient and injured transport services. This initiative, unveiled by municipal advisor Karim Klaybi, seeks to fundamentally restructure a sensitive sector that has long faced criticism for its mismanagement and inefficiencies. The overarching goal is to ensure a more organized and reliable service for the citizens of Casablanca.
Strict Regulations and Enhanced Oversight
A notable aspect of this new regulatory framework is the decision to reclaim control over the operational perimeter for patient transport. Effective immediately, only companies with a registered office or branch in Casablanca, and with prior experience working with the municipality, will be permitted to operate within the city. This measure effectively excludes companies from other regions, ensuring that local entities are prioritized. To enforce these regulations, strengthened oversight in collaboration with security services will be implemented to penalize any violations of these rules.
Another significant reform is the termination of the long-criticized practice of using ambulances merely as transportation vehicles. The vision here is to elevate the ambulance into a genuine mobile care unit. Henceforth, operators will be required to adhere to strict standards that include maintaining a modern fleet with a minimum of four ambulances, each less than five years old, and equipping them with essential medical apparatus such as oxygen supplies, sphygmomanometers, and immobilization equipment. Furthermore, every transport must include a trained nurse, and in the case of severe emergencies, a doctor must also be present. The commitment to continuous service is underscored by the requirement for availability 24/7, including holidays.
Additionally, the city has put an end to the exorbitant prices that have been a common complaint among users. The municipality has now established clear price ceilings: 500 dirhams for a home-to-hospital or clinic journey, 400 dirhams for transfers between healthcare facilities, and between 7 to 9 dirhams per kilometer for journeys outside the municipal territory. To enhance transparency and accountability, displaying these rates on board ambulances and providing receipts to service users are now mandatory, with immediate penalties for non-compliance.
To ensure that these measures are followed, a monitoring committee has been established, comprising representatives from the municipality, local authorities, security services, and hygiene departments. The proposed sanctions extend beyond mere fines; in cases of serious violations affecting safety, service continuity, or contractual obligations, contracts may be terminated. This new framework, set to last for a decade, is not merely a regulatory structure but a strategic move towards modernizing public service, aimed at improving care quality and preserving the dignity of patients.
As reported by lobservateur.info.
