The wheels of Khushiyon Ki Sawari (KKS), the ambulance service started to bring home the newly born children and their mothers have ceased to operate. The task of operating 95 ambulances under KKS was handed over to the Chief Medical Officers (CMO) after contract of the GVK- EMRI to operate the 108 ambulances and KKS ended. The state administration handed over the fleet of the ambulances of the 108 emergency services to the Community Action and Management Programme ( CAMP) and directed the CMOs to take over the operation of the KKS.
However even after more than one and half months, the CMOs have not recruited drivers for these ambulances resulting in cessation of services of KKS. It is learnt that the issue of operating rates for these vehicles has also remained unsolved. The Chief Medical Officer ( CMO) of Dehradun, Dr S K Gupta accepted that many problems have cropped up in operation of the ambulances of KKS and the drivers for these ambulances are yet to be recruited. The contractors are showing no interest in running the ambulances on the rates quoted by the department. Similar situation prevails in other parts of the state. Taking cognizance of the problems, the health directorate has decided to take up the issue with the state administration.
In absence of the KKS, the family members of the new born children and their mothers are forced to carry them in private vehicles.
The Director General (FG) Health services, Dr Ravindra Thapliyal said that the department has taken cognisance of the problem being faced for starting the operation of the KKS. He assured that the issue would soon be taken up with the state administration.
Meanwhile the agitation the ousted field workers of the 108 ambulance service continued for 37th day on Friday.