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Rahul's sham-bulance slammed by Congress leaders |
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By: Vinod Kumar Menon |
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Date:
2010-02-07 |
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Place: Mumbai |
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St George Hospital's ill-equipped ambulance for Rahul Gandhi's convoy makes state Congress leaders see red
Senior Congress leaders have taken serious note of MiD DAY's article 'Sham-bulance' dated February 6, bringing to light that the ambulance accompanying Rahul Gandhi's convoy was a ramshackle, shockingly ill-equipped one.
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Rahul Gandhi travelling by train on his recent visit to Mumbai. Pic/Sameer Markande |
On Saturday, Mumbai Regional Congress Committee (MRCC) president Kripa Shankar Singh appraised Chief Minister Ashok Chavan about the issue, who is attending a two-day meeting with the Prime Minister in Delhi.
"The Chief Minister has taken serious note of the lapses and has assured that he will ask the Chief Secretary to look into matter," said Singh.
Maharashtra State Congress Spokesperson, Anand Gadgil said, "On behalf of the party, we would certainly demand that the government look into this issue and take serious cognizance against those responsible. Life of VVIPs, irrespective of political party or the post is important and apart from security, his physical protection is also of utmost importance."
"We will be investigating the matter and necessary measures will definitely be taken. If the Superintendent of St George hospital did not have a cardiac ambulance he should have brought the matter to the notice of the dean JJ Hospital," said Dr W B Tayade, director, Medical Education and Drugs.
Preliminary inquires revealed that St George Hospital was intimated about the need for an ambulance on Thursday at around 7 pm. They were also informed about the mandatory certification needed before the ambulance could be a part of the convoy. As per the instructions provided to the hospital, the ambulance had to reach the Helipad at Vikhroili by 8.30 am on Friday.
The ambulance reached almost an hour-and-a-half late. The grave negligence came to light when Special Protection Group (SPG) staffers asked for the documents and vehicle certificates. The doctor accompanying the ambulance replied in the negative, which prompted the SPG to immediately alert the senior police officials attached to the Protection Branch.
According to those present on the spot, DCP (Mumbai Protection Branch) Sanjay Shintre sought an explanation from St George Hospital superintendent Chandrakant Gaikwad, but was unhappy with the response.
The police then approached Rajawadi Hospital and arranged for an alternate ambulance. The Resident Medical Officer (RMO) from Rajawadi Hospital, was not allowed to be a part of the convoy by the SPG, as his name was not in the list cleared by the Special Branch. Also, the ambulance was not fit for any cardiac emergency nor was it equipped with emergency medical kits.
Instead, all the medical equipment, blood units and medical staff from St George Hospital were transferred to the new ambulance.
After the episode came to light, a high level inquiry was put in place and the JJ Hospital dean summoned the doctor for an explanation. |
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