Only one ambulance in Tura, reveals 108 operations head
SHILLONG: Social Welfare Minister Deborah Marak was furious with 108 ambulance services after she learnt that a blast victim from Williamnagar was forced to change the ambulance at Byrnihat while being shifted from Tura to NEIGRIHMS here for treatment.
“Why does a patient need to change the ambulance while being shifted in the same state,” a visibly upset Marak asked.
She also observed that it was a difficult task to shift a patient with splinter injuries from one ambulance to another.
“How can a patient, with injuries on his stomach be shifted in such a way,” she asked.
The Minister also alleged that the ambulance was driven in a harsh manner from Tura to Byrnihat thus causing further discomfort to an already critical patient.
When contacted, Operations Head of 108 ambulance services clarified that they had to shift the patient from one ambulance to another since it was the lone ambulance posted in Tura and had to cater to other patients too.
He also claimed that the patient was never put at any discomfort during the shifting process.
“The patient is shifted on a stretcher and special care is taken to ensure that the patient is comfortable,” the operations head said.
He also informed that the Directorate of Health Services was informed about the shifting of ambulances and doctors were duly consulted before the process.
When asked about the harsh driving of the ambulance, he said that the 108 ambulance service will look into the matter.