In a concerning development, equipment from disused 108 ambulances abandoned near the TB Hospital in Vamanjoor, Mangaluru, is being stolen. Items such as batteries and oxygen cylinders have been looted, and tools like saw blades, rod cutters, and scissors, believed to be used by the thieves, have been discovered at the site. The vehicles, left in a secluded hilly area, still hold valuable assets, including stretchers, medical supplies, registration papers, and RC books, raising fears of potential misuse.
Social activist Ibrahim expressed alarm over the lack of protective measures for these vehicles, which have been left unsecured. He noted that without any directive to repurpose the equipment, the situation has become a magnet for thieves.
District Health Officer (DHO) H.R. Thimmayya clarified that these ambulances had reached the end of their operational tenure. The district now operates 28 new ambulances under the 108 emergency service for 2023-24, with 16 older units marked for disposal. He assured that once official clearance is received, the dismantling process will commence.
Meanwhile, DHO Thimmayya has instructed health officials to investigate the thefts at the Vamanjoor site and take appropriate steps to safeguard the remaining equipment. Authorities are under pressure to address this issue promptly to prevent further losses and misuse of critical resources.
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