Over 2,000 ambulances off the road after renewal rules change

Nepal’s emergency transport system is under strain as thousands of ambulances are reportedly parked and unable to run after they could not be renewed under the current health rules.

What changed in the law?

According to the United Ambulance Drivers Union Nepal, the problem started after the Health Act 2075 set a rule that only health institutions such as hospitals and clinics can operate ambulances.

• Ambulances owned or operated by private individuals, NGOs or other non-health organizations are now blocked from renewal.
• Without renewal, these vehicles cannot legally provide ambulance services, even if they are mechanically fit and insured.

Union representatives say they have been asking government agencies to revise the rules ever since the law came into force, so non-hospital operators can keep running emergency services.

How many ambulances are affected?

As per the union’s internal data shared in local media:

• Nepal has around 6,000 ambulances in total.
• Ambulances run by health institutions are being renewed and remain in service.
• Over 2,000 ambulances are already off the road because renewal was not allowed.
• The union estimates the total number of affected non-institutional ambulances could reach around 3,500 if the law is not amended.

These figures come from union records and public statements. They may not match official government statistics, as no updated nationwide count has been published.

Impact on patients and drivers

Ambulance drivers warn that if the law is not revised:

• Emergency response times could increase, especially in rural and semi-urban areas where private or community ambulances fill gaps left by hospitals.
• Ordinary citizens may find it harder to get an ambulance quickly at night or during holidays, when institutional services are limited.
• Many drivers working with privately run ambulances have already lost their jobs or seen their income drop.

The union says ambulance service is tied directly to humanitarian and life-saving work, and it wants the new government and health ministry to treat the issue as urgent.

What happens next?

Former health officials have reportedly been informed about the problem, and the union plans to formally present its demands to the current Health Minister once the new government structure is settled.

Key proposals from the drivers’ side include:

• Allowing non-hospital operators to renew and run ambulances under clear standards and monitoring.
• Setting uniform technical and safety requirements for all ambulances, regardless of ownership.

For vehicle owners and operators, this case shows how policy changes can directly affect the ability to use commercial and special-purpose vehicles, even when those vehicles are in good physical condition.

Anyone planning to invest in an ambulance or operate one outside a registered health institution should closely follow upcoming amendments or guidelines from the Ministry of Health and relevant transport authorities to avoid similar problems in future.