Ambulance Drivers’ Strike Cannot Be Allowed in Keralam: K Muraleedharan

Thiruvananthapuram: Keralam Health Minister K Muraleedharan on Sunday warned drivers and employees under the Kaniv-108 emergency ambulance service against going on strike, saying the government would not allow patients' lives to be put at risk.

He was referring to the strike announced by Kaniv-108 ambulance drivers and employees across the state over their wage demands.

Speaking to reporters here, Muraleedharan said the government had already intervened when the employees had earlier served a strike notice and reached an agreement with them.

"Within a week of me taking charge, they served a strike notice. I spoke to them and reached an agreement. After that, they have been continuously raising these demands. That is not a correct line of action," he said.

"We will not allow anyone to play with patients' lives. The government holds a firm stand on this, and we will go to any extent," the minister said.

He said strikes could not be permitted in the 108 ambulance service as it caters to patients with critical needs.

"Under no circumstances can a strike be allowed in this field, because these are patients. The 108 ambulance service is for people with health distress and critical needs. So doesn't the government have a responsibility to protect those patients? We will have to go to any length for that," he said.

Muraleedharan said the government had no direct employer-employee relationship with the ambulance personnel as they were appointed by the agency that received the contract to operate the 108 ambulance service.

"They were appointed by the agency which received the contract to operate the 108 ambulance service. Not us; they are not government employees. Even so, I intervened initially. We gave strict directions to the management," he said.

"Anyone can come and meet me whenever they want. Other than that, don't try to get things done by threatening," he said.

On allegations that a move to appoint a Congress leader as Executive Director of the State Health Agency was being considered, Muraleedharan said there was no question of handing over posts in the Health Department to party leaders.

"Posts in the Health Department are not meant to be handed out to Congress leaders. Appointments will only be given to qualified individuals. The government is moving forward by strictly adhering to all guidelines," he said.

Asked how a person who is not an IAS officer could be appointed to the post, the minister said the government had the right to take appropriate decisions in certain circumstances.

"While we respect bureaucracy, their duty is to implement government decisions, not to make them," he said.

He said there would be no decision from the government's side that would cause even a single rupee of financial loss.

On the CPI(M) extended state committee meeting to evaluate the party's assembly election defeat, Muraleedharan said, "Let them conduct it. They are not going to correct any of their mistakes; they are only heading into more mistakes."

"In any case, I can give it to you in writing that Pinarayi Vijayan is a blessing for the UDF," he said.