Voice-SD Leader Sutaj Estok Can't Imagine Repeating Ambulance Service Tender

Bratislava, 10 September (TASR) - I can't imagine repeating the ambulance service tender, stated Interior Minister and Voice-SD chairman Matus Sutaj Estok before a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, adding that he can imagine three ways of addressing the situation. The Voice-SD party, which is also in charge of the Health Ministry, wants to prepare a final proposal during September. According to Sutaj Estok, three scenarios come into consideration, including the introduction of a state option regarding the stations, nationalising the system or a reform of the integrated rescue system, which already includes the police and the Fire and Rescue Corps. "I can imagine reforming such a system," he said, adding that the ambulances could thus come under the control of the Interior Ministry. The tender to select operators of ambulance stations was criticised both by the opposition and part of the coalition, with objections related to non-transparency. The Emergency Medical Services Operations Centre scrapped the tender in August. am/df