Locals in Jumla have expressed dissatisfaction after the ambulance fare from Jumla to Nepalgunj was set at Rs. 25,000. Residents have criticized the District Ambulance Committee for setting what they claim is an unreasonably high fare.
According to Kiran Kumar Sharma, Acting Chief of the Public Health Service Office in Jumla, a meeting held on January 8 under the chairmanship of Deepak Paudel, Chief District Officer and coordinator of the District Ambulance Committee, determined fares for ambulances operating within Jumla district in accordance with the Ambulance Operation Directive, 2025, issued by the Ministry of Health and Population. Acknowledging public complaints about the fares, Sharma stated, “If necessary, the fares can be reviewed in upcoming meetings.”
Within Chandanath Municipality, ambulance fares are set at Rs. 600. For travel within the district, fares are Rs. 100 per kilometer on unpaved roads and Rs. 90 per kilometer on paved roads (both ways). From any location in Jumla to Surkhet, the fare is Rs. 20,000, while travel from Jumla to Nepalgunj has been set at Rs. 25,000, according to Sharma.
Chief District Officer Deepak Paudel explained that fares were determined based on distance and location. Since various types of ambulances operate across the district, including those at the Karnali Health Science Academy and local municipalities, the committee aimed to standardize fares.
Several local governments, including Sinja, Tila, Hima Rural Municipalities, and Chandanath Municipality, have issued public notices stating they will implement the fares set by the District Ambulance Committee. However, locals have protested the fares to Surkhet and Nepalgunj, calling them excessively high. Raj Bahadur Mahat, Chair of Citizens’ Society Jumla, said there is strong opposition to government-set ambulance fares and called for a revision.
Residents argue that such high fares for essential services jeopardize the lives of poor and vulnerable citizens. The District Ambulance Committee, however, has stated that fares were calculated based on distance, fuel costs, maintenance, and driver expenses.
Currently, Jumla district has 17 ambulances and one hearse in operation. The Karnali Health Science Academy and eight local municipalities operate these 17 ambulances and the hearse. Specifically, the Academy runs three ambulances in Jumla, while Guthichaur has one, Patarasi has two, and Tatopani has one.
Additionally, Tila has one ambulance, Sinja two, Kanakasundari two, and Hima Rural Municipality four. Chandanath Municipality operates one ambulance and one hearse.