KSRTC drivers to run 108 ambulances

KSRTC drivers to run 108 ambulances

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, oct 1, 2011 : Since the 108 ambulance staff is still on strike, the district health and family welfare department has decided to assign the task of running the ambulances to the KSRTC. DK has 19 emergency 108 ambulance services and so far seven of them are back on the roads with temporary KSRTC drivers.

 

According to DHO O. Shrirangappa, the health department has decided to take control of these vehicles. Since the health workers have locked their ambulances and have not given up the keys before going on strike, the department has to get duplicate keys so that the vehicles can be run with the help of KSRTC drivers.

The department will also use its own nurses on shift basis to work on these ambulances till the health workers call off their strike, he said, adding that the locked vehicles will be released under the supervision of the EMRI district coordinator.

Meanwhile, one of the health workers on strike said that the health department is using all these methods to break the effectiveness of their strike because it does not want to understand their woes. He said that the workers had simply demanded basic amenities, which will help them function more effectively, but the authorities concerned are least bothered. He complained that the health workers are being harassed continuously and that the service of the 108 staff to the society has been undervalued.

Another worker said that the authorities should publish the GVK’s basic agreement with the state government on the work conditions of 108 drivers or pilots and EMTs. Complaining that the health workers are badly treated despite their invaluable service to society, he urged concerned authorities to take note of their demands.