Donated ambulances remain unused despite Covid-19 situation

Mangaluru: Five ambulances donated by reputed organizations to the district administration amidst the Covid-19 crisis to transports patients, have remained unused for months.

Kukke Saubramanya temple administration, Karnataka Bank, Wine and Bar Merchants Association and Mineral Foundation had donated ambulances. In addition to that, the District administration had bought two more ambulances.

Three ambulances were seen parked on the DC office premises without being used to serve their purpose, while other two ambulances have been moved to Mulky and Moodbidri.

The ambulance donated by the Karnataka Bank has been handed over to the Health Department. The records of the same have been sent to Bengaluru for insurance, however, the ambulance hasn’t been registered yet.

The ambulance donated by the Wine and Bar Merchants was sent to Moodbidri after being inaugurated by the district-in-charge, Kota Srinivas Poojary.

Reportedly, the ambulance hasn’t been handed over to the health department yet. Despite the efforts been made to bring the ambulance back, it has stayed in Moodbidri, allegedly due to local MLA’s pressure.

As per the standards, the insurance of the ambulance must be done under the Karnataka government insurance department. Later it must be registered under the Regional Transport Office (RTO). The procedure can be completed in a couple of days, instances here show the District administration’s disinterest in carrying it out.

Four more ambulances have been donated by MRPL which were handed over to the Health Department of Bantwal, Puttur, Sullia and Beltangady taluks. Efforts were made to contact additional Deputy Commissioner M J Roopa which didn’t receive any response.