Hazaribag: The condition of the government-run 108 ambulance service has come under scrutiny after staff members of one of the ambulances were forced to push the vehicle to start it inside Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital (SBMCH) in Hazaribag on Thursday.
Incident at Hospital
Witnesses reported that the ambulance, which was stationed at the hospital, failed to start due to a battery problem. In a desperate measure, the staff had to physically push the vehicle to get it moving. The incident has raised serious questions about the maintenance of the ambulance fleet in the district.
Rohit Kumar, the in-charge of the 108 ambulance service in the district, acknowledged the issue. He stated, "It was due to a battery issue. The battery was replaced later in the day." However, sources within the service claim that this is not an isolated incident.
Widespread Battery Problems
According to sources, more than 20 of the 28 ambulances deployed in the district are facing similar battery-related problems. Some vehicles are reportedly lying defunct on a ground in Phataha under Katkamsandi block due to lack of maintenance. This has led to concerns about the reliability of the emergency medical service in the region.
When asked about the situation, Kumar denied the claims of widespread issues. He maintained that the problem was limited to the one ambulance and was promptly resolved.
The 108 ambulance service is a critical lifeline for patients requiring emergency medical transport. Any disruption in the service could have serious consequences for those in need of urgent care. The incident has prompted calls for a thorough inspection of all ambulances in the district to ensure they are in proper working condition.
Authorities have assured that steps will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future. However, the lack of transparency and denial of the scale of the problem have left many questioning the efficiency of the service.
