Himal Press 
BAITADI: Two local units in Sudurpashchim Province have returned ambulances provided by the province government after just three years.
Pancheshwar and Dilasaini rural municipalities returned the ambulances provided by the Ministry of Social Development, Sudurpashchim Province Government, due to difficulties in operating them on rural roads.
Bina Bhatta, vice chairperson of Pancheshwar Rural Municipality, said that ambulance provided by the province government would frequently break down, and the cost of repairs was also high. “Therefore, the rural municipality has decided to return the amulance,” she added. Bhatt also mentioned that the rural municipality has initiated the process of purchasing an ambulance, which can operate efficiently on rural roads, from its own budget.
There have been mounting complaints that the ambulances provided by the Ministry of Social Development are not suitable for use on rural roads, particularly in hilly districts. Drivers have reported that some of the ambulances broke down after just one trip. They said they were facing difficulty in braking and accelerating.
The Ministry of Social Development provided the ambulance to the rural municipality in October, 2020. The ambulance, which was being used by Kulaun Health Post of the rural municipality, was being stored in Dhangadhi for over a year.
Yagya Bhatta, the spokesperson for Dilasaini Rural Municipality, also said the rural municipality has decided to return the ambulance. “The ambulances would break down frequently and had high maintenance costs,” Bhatta said. “Since all the roads connecting to the municipality are unpaved, it was challenging to operate the ambulance provided by the province government.”
According to Bhatta, the abulance was not in operation for over a year.
“We have reuested Nepal Red Cross Society to provide us an ambulance that is suitable for rural roads,” he added.
The Ministry of Social Development had provided fully equipped ambulances to 16 health institutions and hospitals in the province three years ago.
