HYDERABAD: The Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI), the brainchild of Satyam founder B Ramalinga Raju, which runs the 108 Ambulance services, is close to finalising a financial partner.
``We have shortlisted the GVK Group and Piramal Healthcare Limited and a decision will be taken within next 10 days,’’ EMRI Chief Executive Officer, Venkat Changavalli said.
``The new partner will be required to commit Rs 40 crore funds for providing leadership costs and towards research and innovation as its share in the PPP mode,’’ Changavalli said.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh shortlisted GVK and Piramal Healthcare to replace Satyam. The IT major provided the technology solutions to track the locations and run the call centre to mange the 108 services.
However the CEO confirmed that Tech Mahindra, which has acquired Satyam, will continue to provide technology support for the next two years.
EMRI is a public-private partnership which started in Andhra Pradesh and now operates in 11 states: Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Rajasthan, Assam, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Punjab. The Government contributes 95 percent of the money while private money makes up the rest.
``By this year end, EMRI plans to run 4,000 ambulances in 11 states. Through the new partner, we have vision to run 10,000 ambulances in next two years and attending 75,000 emergencies daily across the country,’’ Changavalli said.
Sharing the findings of a study commissioned by National Health Systems Resources Centre (NHSRC) on the EMRI model, Changavalli said ``the NHSRC agreed in principle for replicating the model in other states. EMRI is a historic landmark in the provision of health care in the country.’’ However, State governments can hire other companies to replicate the EMRI model, he added.
Strongly refuting the allegations over misuse of Government funds, Changavalli asserted that there was no misuse of Government funds and the audit conducted in this regard has not found anything wrong.
Further, he said ``Satyam’s role was limited to providing technology solutions. We did not take or receive money from them.’’ However, he admitted that the EMRI had taken a loan of Rs 42 crore from Axis Bank in November 2006 for which B Ramalinga Raju gave a personal guarantee.