The Manav Adhikar Suraksha Manch (MASM) has urged Chief Minister Patnaik to supply more ambulances to the MKCG Medical College Hospital and make ambulances available free of cost for patients.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, MASM coordinator Abani Kumar Gaya mentioned that most of the time patients are being told that 108 ambulances are not available for engine problems and family members of deceased people are being charged Rs 12 per kilometer.
“It is very painful that bereaved people are being charged hefty amounts for availing ambulances. So Mahaparayan ambulances should be made available free of cost,” demanded Gaya.
Mentioning that availing permission from the district Collector for availing an ambulance for a distant place is putting common people in difficulties and benefitting
influential people and Dalals, Gaya urged the Chief Minister to scrap such permission altogether.
Besides, he apprised the Chief Minister that only two Mahaparayan ambulances are available at the MKCG MCH when at least 10 such ambulances are required.
“Due to unavailability of adequate Mahaparayan ambulances, private operators are exploiting patients. Thus, provide more ambulances and ensure that no patient is deprived of availing ambulance,” Gaya demanded further.