MATTER OF GREAT CONCERN : 7 out of 10 ambulances off the road in Kandi health block.

SHYAM SOOD
Rajouri March 30:–How much serious are the higher health department authorities about the health of poor people is evident from the fact that out of 10 ambulances sanctioned in Kandi Health Block 7 are off the road for various reasons for the last few years.

The matter was raised several times before the higher authorities in writings by the Block Medical Officer (BMO).

But how much higher authorities are concerned about this serious issue is evident from this fact that nothing has been done in this matter till today. Out of 10 ambulances, one is exclusively used to ferry the vaccines while the remaining two are also about 10 years old and need frequent repairs which, according to Dr Iqbal Malik, BMO, is a costly affair.

One 108 Critical care Ambulance outsourced by the J&KMedical Supplies Corporation Ltd is also available in this health block but only on a need base.
The authorities seem to be in deep slumber and are least bothered about the health care of poor people living in remote areas.
Official sources said that at present out of sanctioned 5 ambulances in Community health Centre (CHC), only important health centre in Kandi Health Block, 4 are non-functional due to major repairs.

The only ambulance in working order is Teeka Express but used only to ferry the vaccines.
Important to mention here that due to the lackadaisical attitude of higher health authorities in providing additional ambulance to CHC, Kandi , the doctors and paramedics of the Kandi health block have decided to purchase and donate an Ambulance to CHC at Kotranka and for that they have donated the money.

“Out of two ambulances sanctioned for PHC at Budhal one is operational while another Ambulance (Tempo traveler) was sent in 2018 to SHTO Garage ,Jammu to be converted to Critical care Ambulance but was not sent back till today.
The Maruti Van ambulance of PHC at Peeri is in working order while Maruti Van ambulance of PHC at Tralla was also sent to SHTO Garage at Jammu for repairs about 4 years ago and is still under repairs.

Dr Iqbal Malik, BMO, Kandi Health Block in a letter to CMO said that it is imperative to provide at least two new ambulances to this health block for better patient health care as the two ambulances in working order are about 10 years old and need repairs on monthly basis which is a costly affair.
“The matter has been brought to my notice recently. A request has been sent to Director Health Department, Jammu (on Monday) to provide two new ambulances on a priority basis for this health block,” said Dr.Shamim-un-Nisa, Chief Medical Officer (CMO).