Ambulance shortage hits Barisal hospitals

Pvt vehicle operators make hay as hospital ambulances lie junked

Only one of the three ambulances of the Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical Collage Hospital (SBMCH) is fit enough to cater to the patients’ requirements, though others of the 1,000-bed hospital are lying virtually junked. A similar situation prevails in the city’s 100-bed General Hospital, with most of its ambulances remaining junked. Besides, three ambulances of these two hospitals have been out of order since long, according to hospital sources, who said that repair of ambulances is an extremely lengthy process.
Dr Mizanur Rahman, Deputy Director of the Barisal Divisional Health Directorate, said that there are five more general hospitals and 34 upzila health complexes under their directorate across the Barisal division. In all, six ambulances of these health service points have been out of order since long. However, those in know of things claimed that the number of out-of-order ambulances of these health service points is 16 and not just six.
Taking advantage of the situation, some businessmen have got their pick-up vans, micro buses and others light vehicles refurbished to offer ambulance service. These refurbished ‘ambulances’ have just a bed and an oxygen cylinder fitted to them, unlike regular ambulances, which also have some life-saving medicines and other necessary equipment. It is alleged that these private so-called ambulance owners are doing a brisk business in collusion with the staff of these hospitals. In some cases, even doctors’ involvement is not ruled out by the locals.
At the time of visit to SBMCH, this Correspondent discovered that private ambulance owners and drivers are also using the hospital premises as their vehicle parking space, and running garage and workshop there illegally in full view of the public as well as the authorities concerned.
Such activities have creating health, sanitation and environment hazards. Besides, drug-peddler can be found in action on the premises, leading numerous to law and order problems at the largest and the only specialised public health education and services providing institution.
Due to political influence and pressure of the staff and employees, the SBMCH authorities have failed to get the illegal operators evicted out of the hospital premises. Repeating complaints have also cut no ice with the district administration, according to Dr Nizamuddin Faruk, SBMCH Director.
Md Jalil, an ambulance owner, said to make quick bucks, a section of micro bus and pick-up owners have got the structure of their vehicles changed and plying their vehicles as ambulances. They are doing really good business, he added. Since these micro or pick-up vehicles-turned-ambulances lack in emergency facilities necessary for carrying critical patients, their use as ambulances is illegal. Also, the condition of these ambulances is also very bad, as a result of which a large number of refereed patients, including heart attack and brain haemorrhage ones, often succumb on the way itself. Adding to the woes of patients are the drivers of these ambulance, who do not have even the basic minimum training for carrying patients, claimed Dr Aziz Rahim, former Principal of the Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College.

 

Ambulance shortage hits Barisal hospitals

Pvt vehicle operators make hay as hospital ambulances lie junked

Only one of the three ambulances of the Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical Collage Hospital (SBMCH) is fit enough to cater to the patients requirements, though others of the 1,000-bed hospital are lying virtually junked. A similar situation prevails in the citys 100-bed General Hospital, with most of its ambulances remaining junked. Besides, three ambulances of these two hospitals have been out of order since long, according to hospital sources, who said that repair of ambulances is an extremely lengthy process. Dr Mizanur Rahman, Deputy Director of the Barisal Divisional Health Directorate, said that there are five more general hospitals and 34 upzila health complexes under their directorate across the Barisal division. In all, six ambulances of these health service points have been out of order since long. However, those in know of things claimed that the number of out-of-order ambulances of these health service points is 16 and not just six. Taking advantage of the situation, some businessmen have got their pick-up vans, micro buses and others light vehicles refurbished to offer ambulance service. These refurbished ambulances have just a bed and an oxygen cylinder fitted to them, unlike regular ambulances, which also have some life-saving medicines and other necessary equipment. It is alleged that these private so-called ambulance owners are doing a brisk business in collusion with the staff of these hospitals. In some cases, even doctors involvement is not ruled out by the locals. At the time of visit to SBMCH, this Correspondent discovered that private ambulance owners and drivers are also using the hospital premises as their vehicle parking space, and running garage and workshop there illegally in full view of the public as well as the authorities concerned. Such activities have creating health, sanitation and environment hazards. Besides, drug-peddler can be found in action on the premises, leading numerous to law and order problems at the largest and the only specialised public health education and services providing institution. Due to political influence and pressure of the staff and employees, the SBMCH authorities have failed to get the illegal operators evicted out of the hospital premises. Repeating complaints have also cut no ice with the district administration, according to Dr Nizamuddin Faruk, SBMCH Director. Md Jalil, an ambulance owner, said to make quick bucks, a section of micro bus and pick-up owners have got the structure of their vehicles changed and plying their vehicles as ambulances. They are doing really good business, he added. Since these micro or pick-up vehicles-turned-ambulances lack in emergency facilities necessary for carrying critical patients, their use as ambulances is illegal. Also, the condition of these ambulances is also very bad, as a result of which a large number of refereed patients, including heart attack and brain haemorrhage ones, often succumb on the way itself. Adding to the woes of patients are the drivers of these ambulance, who do not have even the basic minimum training for carrying patients, claimed Dr Aziz Rahim, former Principal of the Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College.