Abstract
Ziqitza Healthcare Limited (ZHL) launched Dial 1298 ambulance services in Mumbai (India) in 2005 to provide quality and timely emergency medical services (EMS). They adopted tiered pricing strategy based on cross-subsidy model to make their services widely available to all sections of society and make the venture financially sustainable. With funding support from Acumen Fund, ZHL quickly expanded its operations within Mumbai but wanted to expand their reach across India to make a larger social impact. Recognizing the commitment and work of ZHL and the pressing need for quality and affordable emergency medical services, many state governments showed interest in partnering with ZHL. Experts suggested Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode as a way forward to improve the quality and expand the reach of these services. It was in this back drop that ZHL was awarded a three year contract by the Rajasthan Government in 2010 to operate their fleet of more than 300 medical ambulances. ZHL saw it as an opportunity to fulfil its social mission and expand its footprints. However, the founders were apprehensive of working with the government and unsure whether this should be the next step to expand the reach of EMS across India at an affordable price.
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