108 ambulance services in Srikakulam in bad shape

Srikakulam: The 108 ambulance services in the district need to be strengthened to cover all remote and agency areas. The district has 38 mandals and 1,048 village panchayats. To cover all these areas, large number of medical and technical staff is required.

At present, the district has 25 ambulances for 108 health services. And the old vehicles are in bad shape and failed to meet the patient requirements in many areas, particularly in agency. As a result, residents of remote and agency villages are facing difficult situation to get health services in emergency.

The aim of 108 health services is to provide primary and immediate services to needy persons like to rescue snake bite victims, injured persons in different kinds of accidents and sudden illness due to old age. Out of total 38 mandals in the district, 11 mandals are not covered under the 108 services in the district.

Residents of Vangara, G Sigadam, Meliaputti, Kanchili, Nandigama, Vajrapukotturu, Pathapatnam, Bhamini, L N Peta, Jalumuru and Polaki mandals are unable to get ambulance services in the district.

Speaking to The Hans India project manager for 108 ambulance services, Attada Akhil said we need 11 more vehicles in addition to the existing 25 vehicles. He asked the government for allotment of more staff in addition to the exiting 67 technicians and 70 drivers in the department.