Private ambulances parked on both sides of the main entrance of Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH) often occupy a good portion of the four-lane highway at Charpara of the town, adding to traffic jam in the busy area.

The illegal practice, continuing for years, results in sufferings for thousands of commuters, patients, and their attendants, but the authorities concerned have failed to take any effective step, it is alleged.

During a visit to MMCH on Sunday, this correspondent found some 50 ambulances kept on the two sides of MMCH's main gate, creating obstruction to easy access, especially for patients.

Besides, the ambulance drivers and their brokers often move around in the emergency department area of the hospital to get trips, creating disturbance to the normal activities there, said hospital sources.

Talking to this correspondent, many outdoor and indoor patients said they face difficulties due to illegal parking of private ambulances.

There are allegations that ambulance drivers enjoy the illegal parking facility with blessings from a section of hospital staff and on-duty policemen.

Earlier, private ambulance drivers used to keep the vehicles on the MMCH premises but recently the authorities took action, preventing the vehicles' unauthorised stay inside.

But the unscrupulous ambulance drivers have continued parking beside the hospital gate, occupying a good portion of the road.  

Contacted, MMCH Director Brig Gen Nasir Uddin Ahamed, who joined there recently, said, "I have already stopped parking of private ambulances on MMCH campus. I have also initiated a step to clean up the hospital premises and its adjacent areas so that service to the patients is not disturbed."

Dr Motiur Rahman Bhuiyan, vice-principal of Mymensingh Medical College, said they urged the authorities concerned on several occasions to take steps to prevent private ambulances' illegal parking beside the hospital gate but to no effect yet.

Md Kamrul Islam, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station, said illegal parking of private ambulances at the important place will be stopped soon.