Ambulances: life savers or killers?

Nizamabad: Everyone thinks that ambulance is like a life saving vehicle. But of late, family members and relatives of patients in Nizamabad district are shunning this emergency vehicle service.

Fifteen days ago, an ambulance of the district was moving a patient Sattar Khan and his relatives from Nizamabad to Hyderabad. The ambulance crashed into another vehicle on Ramayampet national highway, killing Sattar Khan on the spot. The relatives received serious injuries.

Since then, most of the people are reluctant to use the emergency vehicle as they are doubtful of their safety.

According to sources, the drivers of these emergency vehicles are not well experienced and even do not have badge number. There are 138 ambulance vehicles in Nizamabad district that have been approved by the Deputy Commissioner of Road Transport Department. Of this, 52 ambulance vehicles do not have fitness certificate.

An employee of the medical field informed that 357 ambulances are plying in the district without permit. Professional and experienced drivers are not driving government-approved and unlicensed ambulance vehicles. Besides, ambulance vehicle will have certain specifications, but normal vehicles are also being used as ambulance in some parts of the district, without providing technical and medical aid like oxygen cylinder etc. All that these vehicles have is the only blaring siren and flashy lights. There are ambulances that do not even have a fire extinguisher.