Kerala is facing a critical shortage of ambulances in health institutions. According to data from the state health department, out of 615 health institutions in the state, 79 institutions in Ernakulam do not have ambulances. This situation greatly affects critically ill patients at risk.
The lack of ambulances in health institutions in Kerala has raised concerns about the timely transportation of patients in need of emergency medical care. The absence of this essential service is problematic as Ernakulam has the highest number of government health institutions in the state with a lack of ambulances.
The local self-government coordination committee has been urging the health department to address this issue and provide ambulances to these institutions. Chellanam panchayat President K. D. Prasad highlights the urgent need for ambulances, stating that critically ill patients are suffering due to the unavailability of this vital service.
He also stated that the lack of ambulances in government health institutions is a result of the financial burden placed on the hospitals. The cost of operating and maintaining an ambulance ranges from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 1 lakh per month. This expenditure puts a strain on the already limited resources of these institutions.
Anu Samuel, the Secretary of the Ambulance Owners and Drivers Association, emphasized the need for government support, stating that the government should take responsibility for providing ambulances to health institutions because lives are at risk and timely medical assistance is crucial.
A Health Department official states that prompt medical attention must be provided to critically ill patients; he also emphasizes that the government needs to intervene and address the issue, despite the financial constraints hospitals face.
Odisha also faced the issue of a lack of ambulances earlier this year. But currently, they are successfully tackling the problem through the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana scheme, where they bought 70 ambulances. 30 of these were bought by Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd., while the state government funded the remaining 40 ambulances.
Kerala's healthcare system needs more ambulances to save more lives. So, the government should allocate more resources to provide ambulances to all hospitals in the area to provide timely medical assistance to those who require immediate care.
(Input from various media sources)
(Rehash/Rohini Devi)
