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Health Department plans to get 10 new ambulances for Puducherry

Photo: T. Singaravelou

On the way out: New ambulances are likely to take the place of the old vehicles in Puducherry.

PUDUCHERRY: With several ambulances being in need of immediate replacement, the Department of Health plans to procure 10 new ambulances under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund.

According to officials, there were 37 government ambulances functioning at the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Puducherry alone. Of this, at least 12 ambulances were not being used owing to the non-availability of spare parts.

“Most of the ambulances are Matador-model or Gypsy-model vehicles. These have been phased out from the company and no spare parts are available. Many of these vehicles should be replaced,” an official said.

Already, the department had purchased Tata Sumo model ambulances for the PHCs in the coastal areas after the tsunami. “With the 10 new ambulances, we will be looking at the existing vehicles that urgently require replacements. All the 10 will be of the Tata Sumo model and will be utilised only for PHCs in the rural areas,” he said.

Funds to the tune of Rs. 44 lakh had been allocated under the MPLAD fund of V. Narayanasamy.

The vehicles would consist of a patient compartment, stretcher and equipment, the official said, adding that additional equipment would also be installed in the ambulance.

“These ambulances can run on multi-terrains, especially to the PHCs in coastal areas. They can transport the patients from the site to the nearest hospital. However, we require more ambulances to replace the entire lot of old ones,” official sources said.

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