There are a dozen ambulances in Panchthar but none of them are even equipped with emergency medical kits.
The fact was revealed and discussed among the stakeholders during a round table meeting organized by Panchthar District Red Cross Society on Monday.
All the ´C´ Class ambulances operating in the district were donated by ten various organizations.
According to the policy, the ambulance should be installed with first aid kits, including a blood pressure measuring device, oxygen cylinders, a medical staff who at least knows the first aid. [break]
Talking in the program, Chief of Panchthar District Health Office, Pawan Jung Rayamajhi said that the management of these necessary equipments is only possible if the ambulance operators are given basic education about medicine.
"The policy says an ambulance operator should be given trainings on basic medical studies before taking on the job but most of our operators have no knowledge of it," said Rayamajhi.
Various other issues like complaints about the ambulance operators denying services in the villages, unregulated ambulance service charges, and difficulty in reaching to the rural areas due to geographical inaccessibility were also discussed during the meeting.
"A proper system should be in place to ensure that the ambulances are available for the needy anytime and anywhere," said Maoist leader Bishal Rashaili.
He also said that all the ambulances are operating without passing the mandatory pollution tests.
Incidents of the ambulances being used as public transportation have been reported a couple of times, informed Kamal Jawega, Chairperson of the ambulance operators´ committee under Tindin Sub-health Post.
“The local people should understand that ambulances are meant for medical support and not for their transportation needs. If they realize this, the problem won´t recur," said Jawegu.
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