No driver for ambulance of Barhatta UZ health complex for six months

June 18, 2021 00:00:00

Ambulance at Barhatta UZ Hospital of Barhatta in Netrakona lying idle — FE Photo

OUR CORRESPONDENT

NETRAKONA, June 17: More than 0.18 million (one lakh 80 thousand 449) people of Barhatta upazila cannot avail medical services during emergency as there is no driver for the lone ambulance in the upazila hospital for about six months.

In this situation, the people of the upazila have to rely on private ambulances, microbuses, CNG-run autos, vans and rickshaws to get emergency medical services spending extra money amid extreme miseries.

It is learnt that the ambulance driver of Barhatta Upazila Health Complex was transferred to another place about a year ago. The driver of Atpara Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer has performed additional duties as the driver of the new ambulance.

As the driver returned to his former work place, at present no new driver has been posted to drive the Barhatta Upazila hospital's ambulance.

Although six months have elapsed, the vehicle is lying idle in front of the Upazila Health Complex. It is feared that the ambulance along with its equipment will be damaged for not being used.

Serious patients of Barhatta Upazila Health Complex are shifted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital and Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Relatives of the patients hire private cars at an exorbitant fare to transport their ailing relatives to the referred hospital.

Bakul Mia of Baghmara village in Barhatta upazila said, "I went to the Upazila Health Complex with patient at night. The patient was shifted to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital as his condition deteriorated. Since I could not avail a government ambulance to go to Mymensingh, I had to hire a private microbus at exorbitant fare."

Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Md Mostafizur Rahman said, "I have informed the higher authorities concerned in writing for the appointment of an ambulance driver. I have also informed them verbally more than once. If the ambulance driver of the Upazila Health Complex is appointed to the vacant post in a short time, the quality of health services in this upazila will increase further".

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