Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Dec 13: In an instance of official apathy, five ambulances donated by benevolent organizations to the district administration during the coronavirus crisis to ferry patients and other sick people, have remained unused since months.

Understanding the difficulties of patients and the health sector in general during the pandemic, Kukke Subramanya Temple administration, Karnataka Bank, Wine and Bar Merchants Association and Mineral Foundation had donated ambulances to the administration. Moreover, the district administration had also purchased two ambulances.

Unfortunately, three of the ambulances have been parked on the premises of the DC's office without being used for the purpose. Two ambulances have been moved to Mulky and Moodbidri. The ambulance which was donated by Karnataka Bank has been handed over to the health department, and records have been sent to Bengaluru for insurance. But the ambulance is yet to be registered.

The ambulance given by the Wine and Bar Merchants was sent to Moodbidri after district in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary inaugurated it. However, it has still not been officially handed over to the health department, as per a report by a Kannada daily. Though efforts were made to bring back the ambulance, it is still in Moodbidri, allegedly due to the pressure by the local MLA.

As per norms, once the ambulance is purchased, the insurance should be done under Karnataka government insurance department. Thereafter, it should be registered under the regional transport office (RTO). Though this procedure could be completed within a couple of days, it seems that the district administration has no interest in carrying it out.

Four ambulances donated by MRPL during the coronavirus crisis were handed over to health departments of Bantwal, Puttur, Sullia and Beltangady taluks.

Efforts to contact additional deputy commissioner M J Roopa did not receive any response.