SCB launches Indoor Ambulance Service

CUTTACK: Transfer of patients in the SCB Medical assumed a new dimension with the launch of indoor ambulance services on Monday.The first of its kind service in any health institution in the State, it was inaugurated by Health Minister Prasanna Acharya. Two battery operated cars have been pressed into service to carry patients to and from the wards or departments.The eco-friendly vehicles would be moving around the campus to provide service to the patients. They would also be on call to take patients to the wards or diagnostic centres as per requirement round the clock. “Currently the service can be availed of free of cost but there are plans for imposing user fees, which would be decided by the Swasthya Vikas Samiti,” Superintendent DN Moharana said.The service would be operated by a private agency ‘We Care’. The hospital would be paying ` 90,000 a year to the agency for the service.The ambulances would play a big role in alleviating the problems of acute shortage of stretcher bearers in the premier hospital of the State.Lack of stretcher bearers has posed serious difficulties for the patients and their attendants. Attendants and relatives carrying their patients from one department to another is a common sight on the hospital campus.