Two water ambulances lie abandoned in Sandwip
Two water ambulances worth almost a crore have been lying abandoned on Sandwip island of Chattogram for a long time. This has barred locals from accessing healthcare facilities.
Around four lakh inhabitants of the island have been facing untold suffering to cross around 17km long Sandwip channel to go to city hospitals during emergencies.
The two water ambulances -- one given by the health directorate in 2008 costing Tk 32 lakh and another by the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief in 2015 costing Tk 65 lakh -- are not being used due to their poor fitness, lack of drivers and maintenance, according to sources.
Upazila sources said the water ambulances are not fit for sea voyages but they are fit enough to run in the haor region or river.
Till now, the patients of the island are taking treatment by riding on local speedboats or trawlers or "red boats" locally known as "lal boat", putting their lives at risk. The situation usually turns worse during rough weather in the monsoon.
According to local journalists, one of the ambulances with "Water Ambulance" written on the back is lying abandoned near Guptochara Ghat coastal area. The other one -- "Rescue Eagle" is kept near the Haramia 20-bed Hospital territory.
The one given in 2015 is around 10 feet long, light-weight and with a low engine capacity. It's not suitable for the sea. The other one, sent by the health directorate in 2008, is too damaged to use.
Admitting that the ambulances are unfit for the Sandwip channel, Dr Hasan Shahriar Kabir, Chattogram divisional director of DGHS, said, "The water ambulances cannot cross the rough sea or heavy water current. I've sent letters to the authorities for suitable ambulances."
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