Hard to get O2 cylinders, say pvt ambulances

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, May 14

Alleging lesser availability of oxygen cylinders for private ambulances, a group of private ambulance operators of Thanesar block — to mark their resentment — today parked their ambulances for a brief period of time at Theme Park in Kurukshetra.

The ambulance operators said that they were not getting oxygen cylinders easily and it was not viable to operate on the prices fixed by the government.

Mohan Garg, an ambulance operator, said, “We get queries for oxygen-supported ambulances but we are not able to provide the facility as we haven’t been getting oxygen. If we try to get oxygen cylinder on our own, then a D-type oxygen cylinder is being provided to us for Rs 900 while the same cylinder is being provided to the hospital for Rs 325.

“After purchasing the cylinder for Rs 900, we are supposed to wait outside hospitals for hours providing oxygen to patients. If the government wants us to provide the facility at Rs 15 per km, then it should also provide us oxygen cylinders at normal rates. We have met the district authorities repeatedly but to no avail,” Garg said.

Another ambulance driver said, “Kin of patients demand oxygen-supported ambulances and they accuse us of deliberately not providing oxygen. But the fact is that we are not getting the cylinders. We are not being provided any facility. The administration should provide us PPE kits and sanitisers as well.”

Meanwhile, Akhil Pilani, Sub-divisional Magistrate, Thanesar, said, “There was some miscommunication. We have already given directions to provide oxygen to ambulance operators. Today, they sought seven D-type and two B-type cylinders and their demand has been fulfilled. At the same time, we will also ensure that the ambulance operators don’t overcharge.”