( REPORT BY M.S.KARTHIK )
MADURAI: An old sick man roughly around 65 years of age had a harrowing experience at a busy location in Madurai city and with no response from ‘108’ ambulance service, it took several hours before he was taken to the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) here where he was admitted today- 5th July 2020.
It required the intervention of Madurai District Collector and Corporation health inspector to take him to hospital from Palanganatham TVS Nagar bridge where this old man was lying with breathlessness for last two days.
According to local sources, the elderly man had corona symptoms and fell unconscious on Madakulam road under the TVS Nagar bridge. Local people made efforts to get a ‘108’ ambulance and send him to hospital but the response was very bad.
“It took four hours to get ambulance. Local residents had informed Subramaniapuram police station and immediately a police team rushed to the spot where the old man was lying on the road. He was unable to breathe and struggling,” sources said. Police had contacted social worker and social activist Mr.Kalamegam who belongs to that area and asked him to make efforts for taking the old person to hospital.
Then, Mr.Kalamegam went to the spot and immediately informed ‘108’ ambulance service. “The response was hurting as the staff asked the caller to take the old man to nearest hospital or inform the police. Without listening to what is being said, the ‘108’ team hung up the phone.”
Madurai District Collector was informed over phone what has happened. Within five minutes, Corporation health inspector Mr.Subburaj had contacted Mr.Kalamegam and others. Three corporation staff went to the place, then came ‘108’ from nearby ESI Hospital and the ambulance staff had refused to take the old man because that ambulance vehicle, they said, is meant for delivery cases.
Again the Madurai District Collector Dr.T.G.Vinay was contacted to inform him about ambulance requirement. After two hours, an ‘108’ ambulance came from Kalavasal area to TVS Nagar bridge spot where the old man was struggling.
A sanitary worker by name Karuppiah helped to change the completely torn clothes of the old man, got a lungi from nearby house to cover the old person. He was taken to GRH. What started at 8.30 am in the morning went till 12 noon just for want of an ambulance.
Local residents were appreciative of the efforts made by Corporation health inspector Mr.Subburaj in sending the fainted old man to GRH where he was admitted today.
