108 ambulance services in limbo

Srikakulam: The emergency 108 ambulance services were not functioning properly for the past several years due to various reasons. The project was initiated by the erstwhile Congress government in the state.

Initially, 29 vehicles were allotted to cover 38 mandals across the district. The duty of the 108 ambulance medical staff is to receive calls and carry the patients and the injured to the nearest hospitals. But due to lack of government attention, more than 15 vehicles are not working and people are unable to avail medical services.

The 108 vehicles at Veeragattam, Hiramandal, Saravakota, Ponduru, Santhakaviti, Nandigama, Santhabommali, Itchapuram, Kanchili, Mandasa, Sompeta and other mandals are available to the public in an emergency. On June 10, this year a bear attacked villagers at Erramukkam village in
Sompeta mandal due to delay in reaching the 108 vehicle, woman and her husband died of injuries.

In the wake of poor service, regional vigilance wing officials formed as six teams and inspected condition of 108 vehicles in different mandals simultaneously. Inspections revealed poor maintenance of vehicles and no funds were allocated for the repair of these vehicles. Medical kits are not available in these vehicles as a result, they are being parked at mandal headquarters.

“We forwarded a report to the government how the 108 ambulances are lying”, regional vigilance and enforcement officer T HariKrishna told The Hans India. District medical and health officer Dr Sanapala Tirupati Rao admitted to problems with the 108 vehicles and said that they are waiting for funds for the repair of these vehicles.