Aurangabad, April 8:
An 108 ambulance caught fire and exploded near Waluj on Aurangabad-Nagar road on Thursday. Fortunately, there were no fatalities reported in the incident. However, the incident has highlighted the deteriorated condition of the ambulances.
Ambulances are considered as the backbone of health services as it plays an important role in transporting critically ill and injured patients to the hospital in the shortest possible time. However, lack of upkeep and maintenance has put the ambulances in a deplorable state. As many as 23 ambulances (102) in the health department are on the verge of being scrapped. Still, patients are being transported by these ambulances. The administration has repeatedly sent proposals for new ambulances. But there has been no progress. Ambulance (108) have given new life to thousands of patients. But the fire incident raises suspicions that ambulance maintenance is being neglected. Coordinator Om Kumar Korde said that 108 ambulances are being regularly maintained and inspected by the RTO office.
Agency will be investigated
The 108 ambulances are operated through BVG agency. An inquiry will be launched to determine the cause of the fire and also get details of the last servicing. Demand for new ambulances has been placed said, Dr Sundar Kulkarni, district surgeon
Reason after inspection
The ambulance will be inspected by the RTO office for mechanical failure. But only firefighters and forensic lab can tell the exact cause of the fire said RTO Sanjay Metrewar.
Total ambulances in the district - 538
102 Ambulances - 70
108 Ambulance - 31
Ambulance GMCH - 9