CATS vehicles selected by government are in dilapidated state and insufficient in number
CATS vehicles selected by government are in dilapidated state and insufficient in number
Broken headlights, shabby seats and layers of dirt - this is the condition of the ambulances standing outside
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| Discarded CATS ambulance at the Trauma Centre at Bela Road in New Delhi. PIC/RajeevTyagi |
the Centralised Accident and Trauma Services (CATS) office in Delhi. As per sources, the government will use these vehicles for athletes, delegates and visitors during the Commonwealth Games.
With just 27 days left for the mega sporting event, the issue of ambulances still remains unresolved. The matter has become so sensitive that no official is prepared to speak on the issue.
"The condition of the ambulances with us is so bad that they can't even travel for 1 km," said a senior official from CATS on condition of anonymity.
The government claims to have 35 operational ambulances available. But sources do not share the same view. "We have only 20 operational ambulances till now which too are in poor state and the other 15 are useless," a senior official said.
However, as per the government, there would be 64 ambulances available during the Games. The number of ambulances at CATS has remained the same for the past ten years. Sources say that the life span of these ambulances was also over a while ago.
But the worst is yet to come. If you need an ambulance during the Games, you might have to manage on your own.
CATS ambulances are called in case of roadside accidents, medical emergency or an kind of disaster. But during the Games, even if they are standing unused, they won't be able to cater to the needs of common people. "We have been told that these ambulances will just be used for the Games and not for general public," a CATS official said. Diwanchand, secretary, Delhi Health Department, refused to comment on the matter and did not respond to calls when contacted later.
However, Delhi Health Minister Dr Kiran Walia said she had no information on the present situation. "I cannot tell you anything right now. I have to check with my officers," she said.
DRIVE BACKAccording to Fortis sources, in 2008 they came together with the Delhi state government in a public-private partnership to launch a fleet of 150 ambulances before the Commonwealth Games.
Fortis was to be responsible for procuring the ambulances with the equipment as per stipulated specifications. They were also to hire, train and deploy personnel. The project would operate under the Delhi Health Department.
Fortis delivered the first batch of 75 fully equipped ambulances early January 2010, complete with medical equipment and fixtures and state of the art communication systems. But they were rejected by the government.
Today 75 ambulances (that cost 13 lakhs each) are ready, with all equipment as per specifications and Fortis is prepared to begin operations to serve the CWG and the citizens of Delhi. 400 personnel have received several hours of training, including by experts from the University of Utah. These employees include 175 ambulance drivers, 175 medical technicians, 24 call-centre employees and others who operate a best-in-class Emergency Response Centre.
