THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Facebook post in Malayalam authored by a ‘backup pilot’ of 108 ambulance service in the wake of the Vellar ambulance accident has become a hot topic of discussion in the cyber world with over 16,000 likes and 5,500 shares in just 4 days.
Posted on October 8, a day after the accident and subsequent fire, the staffer identified as Nikhil Pradeep of Balaramapuram said he did not fear losing his job for pointing out the safety and labour issue. The 108 staffers are uninsured and are underpaid.
“Many a time, the distress calls come when we have food and we just report a two- minute delay and jump into action. By the time we attend to the call and admit the person to the medical college, another case would have been reported and hunger is set aside with some water. Most of us are developing hearing issues due to constant siren,” he says.
“By the time we reach Chakai, a case could report at Vizhinjam. Due to the scarcity of vehicles, we undertake the mission and on reaching the spot we will find that the police have called us to attend to a drunkard who passed out,” he added.
Often, police call 108 to attend to uninjured people who have caused brawls and we are asked to take away the persons.
“Since we constantly attend to people drenched in blood we are at the risk of infection and are not adequately vaccinated. The drivers and nurses are paid just Rs 450 and Rs 500 for a 12-hour duty and are not insured. There are no paid holidays even if our parents fall sick and there is no Employees State Insurance (ESI) and Provident Fund (PF),” he added pointing out that the control room officer attached to KMSCL enjoys all these benefits.
He further reveals that many ambulances run without even proper brakes. “Only half the salary is paid when vehicles are out of order and vehicles remain abandoned in workshops for a long time. Hence, we take the risk and continue working,” Mr Nikhil Pradeep said pointing out that their constant plea to the health department had fallen on deaf ears.
