GUWAHATI, July 14 - Even though they reside just 16 kilometres from the State capital Dispur, availing ambulance service during distress is now a distant dream for the people of Hatisila under Chandrapur revenue circle. And with floodwater submerging most parts of the area, the situation has turned worse for the locals.
On Tuesday, the family of 53-year-old Shyamkola Chetri suffered badly due to this situation.
Relating the incident, central executive member of AASU, Tutumoni Kalita said Shyamkola met with an accident a few days ago and underwent a surgery at a city-based private hospital. Today she was supposed to go for her check-up. But there was no ambulance to shift her to the hospital.
�As the woman was not in a condition to walk, her family used a makeshift bamboo stretcher to carry her in the submerged portion of the road. Then they managed a Mahindra pick-up van and took her to the hospital. This proves the inefficiency of the health department in delivering service to people in need,� Kalita said.
He said Shyamkola did not avail the service of 108 ambulance because of the prevailing medical emergency situation. On the other hand, the only ambulance available for the people of the area at Panikhaiti Mini PHC has been in a defunct state for long.
�We have been demanding a new ambulance, but the department is yet to take the matter seriously. Even though we live in Kamrup (M) district we never get the same benefits like other urban areas,� Kalita rued.
