Shimla, April 7 -- Emergency healthcare across Himachal Pradesh was disrupted on Monday as nearly 1,300 drivers and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) of the 102 and 108 ambulance services went on strike. The protest, called by the Himachal Pradesh Ambulance Service Employees Association, is scheduled to continue until April 11.

The strike targets Medswan Foundation, the private operator managing 248 ambulances under the 108 National Ambulance Service and 148 under the 102 Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) scheme. The association alleges the company failed to implement minimum wages and statutory benefits despite holding a contract with the National Health Mission (NHM).

Association general secretary Balak Ram Sharma said worker...