BAHAWALNAGAR: Residents of 100 villages along the 30km border belt from Amroka to Mandi Sadiq Ganj are left without an ambulance service as Rescue 1122 operations in the area have been stopped, and the only ambulance available at the only rural health centre (RHC) in the area, has been taken back by the district administration.

Residents Syed Asim Raza, Malik Chaman, Mahmood Ahmad and others told Dawn that about two years ago, Rescue 1122 staff was posted at the RHC. About six months ago, not only the Rescue 1122 operation was suddenly closed down, but the only ambulance at the RHC was also taken back.

Later, when locals recorded their protest over the matter, Rescue 1122 resumed the ambulance service facility for the border area villages by using the ambulance of the McLeod Ganj RHC. However, three months ago, this facility was withdrawn again by the administration without mentioning any reason and they refused to start it despite locals’ protests.

Residents complained that the area needed at least 10 BHUs and two RHCs, however, it had only one RHC and two BHUs with fewer staffers and facilities.

They demanded that the health secretary take notice of the closure of the ambulance service. Not only the number of health centers should be increased according to the number of people, but staff and equipment shortage should also be addressed in the existing center.

Bahawalnagar Health CEO Saleem Akbar was not available for comment.

District Officer (Emergency) Rao Sharaft told Dawn that due to the shortage of vehicles, Rescue 1122 had to close its operation at the RHC. He said that the RHCs of Dunga Bunga, Shehr Farid and Dahranwala were also facing the closure of ambulance services.

He said ambulances for these RHCs would be provided as soon as they received vehicles from the department, adding that the department may provide the required vehicles in three months.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2022